Best Churches to Visit in the Philippines to Learn History and Culture
- San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
- San Agustin Church of Paoay in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
- Binondo Church in Binondo, Manila
- Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas
- Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila
- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City, Rizal
- Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in Cebu City, Cebu
- Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Bantayan, Cebu
- San Salvador del Mundo in Caraga, Davao Oriental
- Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga
Whether you’re a tourist or a local interested in Philippine history and culture, visiting Catholic churches is a great way to learn.
There are a lot of churches in the Philippines with historical significance. Here are some of the best ones to visit!
1. San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
Address: General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
Telephone No.: (02) 8527 2746
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LaConsolaciondeIntramuros/
Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Best known for: Being the oldest church in the Philippines
San Agustin Church, situated in Intramuros, Manila, is the oldest church in the Philippines dating back to 1571. The church is symbolic and has a rich history, from being the symbol of Spanish dominance in Luzon to having survived World War II.
San Agustin Church emerged as a prime example of Spanish Baroque architecture. It showcases intricate trompe l’oeil ceilings and an elevated altar.
UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1993, commemorating its role in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
Pro tip:
Check out Miguel López de Legazpi’s tomb near the church’s high altar. Legazpi is the Spanish conquistador who founded and established Manila as the capital of the New Spanish colony.
2. San Agustin Church of Paoay in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Address: Marcos Ave, Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Operating hours: Open daily
Best known for: The buttresses that protect the church from earthquakes.
The San Agustin Church is known for its ingenious engineering: the church is surrounded by 24 buttresses that protect it against earthquakes.
The church’s historical relevance dates back to the Spanish Revolution. The Katipuneros used its three-story bell tower as an observation post.
As one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, the Philippine government declared the church a National Cultural Treasure in 1973. Later, it was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site’s Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
Pro tip:
After going around inside the church, you can meditate in the Jardin de San Agustin, a small sanctuary or prayer garden.
3. Binondo Church in Binondo, Manila
Address: 1006 Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, 1006 Metro Manila
Telephone No.: (02) 8242 4850
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/binondochurch1596/
Operating hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Best known for: Being the church located in the heart of Chinatown
Binondo Church is also known as the National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz. It is located in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown and has stood as a symbol of cultural fusion since 1596.
The church honors the legacy of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino saint martyred for his faith. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz’s father was Chinese and his mother was Filipino, which made him the church’s patron saint.
Interestingly, the Dominican priests established the church to convert the Chinese population to Christianity. To date, the church holds masses in Filipino, Mandarin, Hokkien, and English for Chinatown’s Filipino-Chinese community.
Pro tip:
Make sure to know the mass schedules. This will help in timing your visit so you can attend the mass in your preferred language.
4. Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas
Address: VWJF+6WV, Calle San Martin, Taal, 4208 Batangas
Telephone No.: 0928 397 5398
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parokyanisanmartin/
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Best known for: Being the largest Catholic church in Asia.
The Basilica of St. Martin de Tours, also known as Taal Basilica, is a true gem of Batangas. It is situated in Taal Park at an impressive size of 291 ft. long and 157 ft. wide.
The church was built in 1575 and destroyed by the Taal volcano explosion in 1754. Many years and a few more natural disasters later, the church’s reconstruction was completed in 1878 and designed into how it looks today.
The two defining features of the church are the basilica’s façade, which will make you think of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome; and the silver tabernacle, which is said to be the only one of its kind in the nation.
Pro tip:
Make sure to check out the valuable artworks and artifacts inside the church. One of these is the “Miraculous Black Nazarene,” an 18th-century wooden statue deemed to be the basilica’s oldest relic.
5. Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila
Address: Cabildo, 132 Beaterio St, Intramuros, Manila
Telephone No.: (02) 8527 3093
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/themanilacathedral/
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Best known as: The Seat of the Archbishop of Manila.
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The cathedral stands as a religious keystone and the Seat of the Archbishop of Manila. It was established in 1571, and its eighth and most recent reconstruction, completed in 1958, has been meticulously preserved and fortified against earthquakes.
The church underwent an extensive renovation. In 2014, it opened its doors again to devotees, with Pope Francis himself holding mass in the cathedral in 2015.
Pro tip:
If it’s your first time visiting the place or want a refresher on its history, you can join the Intramuros tour which also includes the Manila Cathedral in its itinerary.
6. Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City, Rizal
Address: Dela Paz St, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal
Telephone No.: (02) 8571 7347
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/antipolocathedralph/
Operating hours: Monday – Saturday at 5 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday at 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Best known for: Being the Philippines’ first Roman Catholic international shrine
The International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, known as the Antipolo Cathedral, has weathered man-made and natural disasters for over 450 years.
The cathedral is a well-known site for devotees to visit during the pilgrimage season. Pilgrimage season happens from May to July, and many come to pay homage to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
The Vatican approved its National Shrine status in 2022. It is the first international Marian shrine in Asia and the third in the continent, alongside renowned landmarks in India and South Korea.
Pro tip:
The cathedral has a permanent exhibition area for the 400-year-old image of the Virgin of Antipolo and its crown. Make sure to drop by and learn more about the image and the church’s history.
7. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in Cebu City, Cebu
Address: Pilgrim’s Center, Osmeña Blvd, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu
Telephone No.: (032) 255 6697
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BMSNCebu/
Operating hours: Monday – Thursday and Saturday 6 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday and Sunday 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Best known for: The church where the Sto. Niño image reportedly survived a fire
The Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño, also known as Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, is the oldest Catholic Church in Cebu. It was founded in 1565 and underwent a reconstruction into a stone structure in 1739, which still defines its present-day appearance.
The basilica is the home to the revered image of the black Sto. Niño. The church became famous for the legend of how Miguel López de Legazpi stumbled upon the Santo Niño icon in a charred hut where the church now stands.
Due to its historical significance, former President Ferdinand Marcos also proclaimed Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño as a National Shrine.
Pro tip:
The cathedral offers Cebuano and English masses. Make sure to check out the schedule so you can attend your preferred language.
8. Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Bantayan, Cebu
Address: 5P89+MQJ, Pres. M. L. Quezon St., Bayan ng Bantayan, 6052 Lalawigan ng Cebu
Best known for: Being one of the oldest parishes in Cebu.
Bantayan may be known for its beach getaways, but it is also the home to one of the oldest parishes in Cebu, Saints Peter and Paul Parish.
The Augustinians established the parish in 1580 and constructed it between 1839 and 1863. It was designed to withstand the frequent pirate raids in the area.
The parish gained recognition for its ceiling murals and other intricate religious artworks. The Dibuho Kisame Crew crafted the murals, which were showcased in the 2020 documentary titled “Masterpiece.”
Pro tip:
The parish is also home to old artifacts and religious icons dating all the way back to the 16th Century. Make sure to check these out when you visit!
9. San Salvador del Mundo in Caraga, Davao Oriental
Address: El Salvador Del Mundo Parish ( circa 1884), Surigao – Davao Coastal Rd, Poblacion, Caraga, 8203 Davao Oriental
Telephone No.: [email protected]
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elsalvadordelmundoparish/
Best known for: Being the oldest Catholic Church in Mindanao
The San Salvador del Mundo Church, also known as the old stone Church of Caraga, is the oldest Catholic Church in Mindanao, built in 1884. At one point, the Spaniards used it as a prison.
The church houses several artifacts dating back to the Spanish colonial era. These include a church bell from 1802, two giant seashells serving as holy water fonts, an antique marble baptismal basin, and an antique statue of San Isidro Labrador.
In 2012, the National Historical Commission declared the San Salvador del Mundo Church a national historic site.
Pro tip:
Traveling to Caraga, Davao Oriental from Davao City will take about six hours by land. Make sure to eat well and pack sustenance and essentials before heading out.
10. Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga
Address: La Purisima St, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Telephone No.: 0935 999 0877
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LaInmaculadaConception/
Operating hours: Monday 5 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 6 a.m. – 11 p.m., Wednesday – Thursday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Best known for: Its cross shape and modern inclusion of an elevator.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Zamboanga Catholic Cathedral, is a modern marvel of religious architecture.
The cathedral underwent multiple reconstructions until 1998, which remains its current look. Part of its modernization includes having an elevator.
Also the seat of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, the cathedral houses the Philippines’ second-largest pipe organ. An Immaculate Conception image sculpted by National Artist Napoleon Abueva can be seen inside.
Pro tip:
Make sure to check out the stained glasses in the church, which symbolize all Mindanao dioceses from 1910-1984 adorn the church’s interiors.
