Manila's Mother Church: Where History Still Lives

Did you know the Manila Cathedral has been destroyed eight times? Step inside the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, or more simply, the Manila Cathedral. Located in Intramuros, this structure is the Mother of all Churches, Cathedrals, and Basilicas in the Philippines. 1571: Established as a simple parish church made of bamboo, nipa, and wood by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi following the founding of Manila. 1579: Elevated to a Cathedral status by Pope Gregory XIII through the papal bull Illius Fulti Praesidio. 1581: First stone cathedral structure completed under Bishop Domingo de Salazar; destroyed by fire in 1583. 1592–1600: Rebuilt with stone, but severely damaged by a series of earthquakes in 1600. 1614: Third structure completed; subsequently flattened by the devastating Great Luzon Earthquake of 1645. 1671: Fourth Cathedral structure completed under Archbishop Miguel de Poblete. 1863: Destroyed once again by a massive earthquake that struck Manila, burying several choir members and priests in the rubble. 1879: Seventh structure completed in Neo-Romanesque style; survived a major earthquake in 1880 with moderate repairs. 1945: Completely leveled during the bloody Battle of Manila in World War II. 1958: Reconstruction of the current (eighth) structure completed under Archbishop Rufino J. Santos, designed by architect Fernando Ocampo. 1981: Elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II through his Motu Proprio Apostolicos Decet. 2012–2014: Underwent major structural retrofitting and seismic consolidation to protect the building against future earthquakes. #ManilaCathedral #Philippines #Intramuros