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Osmena Boulevard, Downtown Area, Cebu City

The Basilica del Santo Nino, which was built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Father Andres de Urdaneta, houses the oldest and most celebrated Christian relic in the country –the image of Senor Santo Nino de Cebu (Infant Jesus). The image was given by Ferdinand Magellan as a gift to Queen Juana during her baptism in April 21, 1521. After being destroyed by the fire the structure was rebuilt in 1602 and then rehabilitated in 1740. Thousands of devotees gather at the Basilica every Friday for the novena. Devotees, too, flock to the church for the Sinulog celebration every third week of January.

Fort San Pedro Plaza Independencia, Cebu City

The Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest triangular bastion in the country, which was built in 1565 and completed over a century and a half later. This fort was built to primarily protect the Spanish settlers from the attacking pirates in the area. It has also witnessed the different changes in the history of Cebu Island until much of it was destroyed during the Japanese occupation when it served as a prison camp.

Downtown Area, Cebu City

The Colon Street is considered as the oldest street in the Philippines. It was built by the Spaniards during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Named after Christopher Columbus, it is the heart of downtown Cebu, throbs with people from all walks of life and despite being highly-urbanized; there are still remnants of its beauty from the olden times. At present, it is lined up with shopping malls, restaurants and other business establishments. An obelisk detailing its historical significance was constructed on its Northern end along with the various markers placed in areas pinpointing sites of historical and cultural significance on Colon Street.

Magallanes Street, Cebu City

The Cross was planted in April 21, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan. This marks the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana and about 400 followers were baptized by Father Pedro Valderama. In 1525-1740, the Augustinian priests built an open shrine for the cross, but the natives began to take chips from the cross believing it had miraculous power. So a kiosk like structure was built to protect the cross from total destruction. To protect it further, a hollow cross of Tindalo wood was made to incase the original cross which still stands today.

Mactan Shrine, Lapu-Lapu City

The monument was dedicated to Lapu-Lapu, the first Filipino hero which stands inside the Mactan Shrine facing Magellan Bay. Lapu-Lapu is considered one of the greatest figures in Philippine history because he was among those who rejected foreign power. Lapu-Lapu, who was the chieftain of the area, defeated Ferdinand Magellan, the leader of the Spanish fleet, in the famous Battle of Mactan.

Parian District, Cebu City

Located on the original Plaza of Parian, the heritage of Cebu Monument showcases the significant and symbolic events of the history of Cebu from the time of Rajah Humabon to the recent beatification of Cebuano martyr Pedro Calungsod. The monumental sculptural tableau is the work of national artist Eduardo Castrillo. It was constructed in July 1997 and inaugurated in December 8, 2000.

Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City

The seat of the Provincial Government is of pre-war vintage and has the undulating mountains of Cebu for its background. Majestic and imposing its high dome can be seen along Osmeña Boulevard. A replica of the United States’ White House, it is one of the many beautiful capitol buildings in the country, constructed in 1937 under the administration of Governor Sotero Cabahug.

Beverly Hills, Cebu City

Taoist Temple is a concrete reminder of the well-established Chinese Community in Cebu City, who has contributed much to the industrialization of Cebu. The temple was built in 1964 and is a classic example of Chinese architecture which houses the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. Everyday people climb its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) and light joss sticks and have their fortune read.

35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City

Located in Lopez Jaena Street, it is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu –Juan Gorordo (1862-1934). A tour inside this residence is a brief journey into a Filipino lifestyle in a particular period between the years 1860-1920. The place presently features noted paintings, museum relics, a courtyard, antique household items and furniture.

Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City

The museum showcases an estimated 500 personal belongings and documents worthy of remembrance of the Grand Old Man of Cebu, made possible by various donations of generous friends and relatives of the former president.

Manalili corner P. Gomez Streets, Cebu City

Houses Liturgical Exhibition of Artifacts found in parishes all over the province of Cebu, it traces the history of the Parishes and at the same time pinpoints the richness of the cultural legacy of Cebu as the seat of Christianity of Cebu. The building which housed the temporary collection was the old rectory of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It also showcases old maps of Cebu that show various old buildings built around the 19th century.

M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City

The Cebu Provincial Museum is housed in a former Spanish-period prison enclosed by a high coral stonewall that until 2004 served as the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. The museum has 12 galleries spread in six buildings, all made of coral stone and lime mortar, the largest collection of Spanish colonial structures ever to be found in a single site in Cebu. Six of these galleries are dedicated to the prehistory and history of Cebu and are located at the former administration building of the colonial jail. Arranged chronologically, the six cover the prehistory of Cebu with a fine collection of excavated stone tools, boat shaped coffins and trade ware ceramics, down to the colonial legacy where one finds documents from the Legazpi Expedition in 1565, objects from the Katipunan uprising in Cebu to the memorabilia of the American colonial period, among others. A fine collection of World War II objects as well as the mementoes of the post war years complete the galleries.

Boljoon, Cebu

The church was built within a stone perimeter wall with two massive gates that encloses the entire complex. It houses a museum located on the ground floor of the rectory which still has its original clay-tiled roof. Within the church complex is a two-level blockhouse with a roofed parapet where artillery was mounted, watchtower remains on a hill to the North, an enclosed cemetery and an old school building built in 1940. Boljoon Church is a National Heritage Landmark and is currently undergoing restoration and rehabilitation.

Carcar, Cebu

This building built in 1929 by Mayor Mariano Mercado used to be the old Carcar Dispensary (hospital) and was inaugurated on July 7, 2008 as Carcar Museum. It is an excellent example of early 20th century civic architecture. A lovely white structure with exquisite filigreed woodwork, the balconies on the main façade mellifluously project out. The entire rectilinear structure is a contrived riot of latticework, lacy semicircular transoms, carved bandillas and mini-canopies. The doors and windows with colorful stained glass panels perfectly accent the all-white structures.

Carcar, Cebu

The present church, probably the third or second church of Carcar, was built in 1860. The façade features a Moorish influence due to the recessed arch of the main entrance like those of Middle Eastern mosques and the twin bell towers capped by onion shaped domes reminiscent of minarets. The interior of the church is embellished with a coffered ceiling and the arcade separating the nave from the aisle by carved cherub heads. The altars are Neoclassical. One of the features of the church is the statues of the eleven apostles at the main entrance. The twelfth apostle, Judas stands all alone on a pedestal in front of the convent.

Carcar, Cebu

Don Sarmiento’s manor which is popularly known in Cebu as Balay na Tisa named after the material used for its construction, limestone blocks or tisa. Built in 1859, Balay na Tisa along Sta. Catalina Street is one of the best and painstakingly restored ancestral houses in Carcar. This well preserved house showcases original pieces of furniture used by four generations of the Sarmiento family which are still intact and functional. Its interior is furnished with priceless antiques from silver and ceramic dinnerware to the wooden poster beds, cabinets, tables and chairs.

Carcar, Cebu

Founded by Father Anastacio del Corro in 1923, St. Catherine School was built to educate young girls of Carcar and nearby towns. It enrolled around 57 students coming from North and South of Carcar as well as from Cebu City. The school initially offered Kindergarten, a complete Elementary Course and First Year High School. It serves also as a boarding school which houses students specially those who lived far away from school.

Argao, Cebu

The construction of the church started in 1734 and was completed in 1788. Dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, there are more than 20 figures of angels sculpted on its brass-studded portals. The altar (retablo) of the church is still the original. This church also possesses one of only 14 remaining Spanish-era pipe organs in the country. The church was renovated of for its bicentennial celebration in 1988, and its outer walls were scraped. Despite some renovations and modernizations done to the church, it still remains as one of the richly furnished churches in the south.

Danao City, Cebu

Constructed in 1755 by Father Manuel de Santa Barbara, the church was made up of materials from sugar cane and rocks from the sea. The crucero of the church was built in the 1800’s It suffered a partial destruction in a fire during the World War II. Religious items and other important materials were also burned. From the original construction materials of the church, only the solid stones were spared from the fire. Reconstruction began in 1946. The church underwent another renovation which was completed in 1985. Very interesting about this church are the three old bells which are named after saints.

Bantayan, Bantayan Island

Bantayan was the first parish to be established in Cebu by the Augustinians founded in 1580 as the Convento dela Asuncion de Nuestra Senora. The present church is probably the fourth or fifth church erected, with the other churches destroyed by natural calamities and the constant invading Moro pirates. The church probably has the thickest walls among all stone churches in Cebu. Bantayan is now known for its marvelous processions during Holy Week.