Description of the attraction
Manila Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, is an outstanding piece of architecture, a Catholic church located in Manila in the ancient district of Intramuros. The first cathedral on this site was built in 1581, and the current one - the sixth in a row - in 1958. In 1981, it was consecrated as a "minor basilica". Today it houses the residence of the Archbishop of the Philippines Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.
The first cathedral, built here in 1581 from bamboo and palm trees, was seriously damaged during a typhoon in 1582, and a year later it was finally destroyed in a fire. Ten years later, a stone temple was erected in its place, which stood until 1600 and collapsed during an earthquake. The construction of the third cathedral began in 1614 - the building consisted of three naves and seven chapels. It also suffered from an earthquake in 1645. From 1654 to 1671, the majestic fourth cathedral was erected on the territory of Intramuros, which stood for almost two centuries and in 1863 was seriously damaged by another earthquake. In 1880, the bell tower collapsed, and until 1959 the cathedral did without it. The fifth Catholic church was built from 1870 to 1879 - the cross over the main dome served as a reference point in determining the astronomical longitude. However, during the bombing of the city in 1945, the cathedral was almost destroyed to the ground. It was only in 1954 that the construction of the next, sixth cathedral began, and the construction lasted until 1958.
The main façade of Manila Cathedral is decorated with sculptures of famous saints made of white Italian limestone. Inside the cathedral are buried two presidents of the Philippines - Carlos Garcia and Corazon Aquino. The latter died in 2009 and became the first woman whose body was exhibited in the cathedral for farewell. According to the protocol, only the Archbishop of the Philippines can receive such an honor.
