The Cathedral at the Walled City Intramuros

One of the destinations of the tour to Manila and Laguna is in Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and informally called Manila Cathedral was built by the Roman Archdiocese of Manila for the Patroness of the Philippines, Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

The Manila Cathedral is located inside the walled city Intramuros which been a Spanish territory for a long time. The city was discovered by Spanish explorers led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1564. The city served as the home of the Spaniards and their family together with Filipino servants. Within 400 years, it’s been the center of political and religious gathering. Even the military power is based in this city. But during the World War II, the Intramuros was damaged by both Japanese and US Air Force. In the 1980s, under the direction of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, the Intramuros Administration restored the city and at present the walled city is the only district of Manila where old Spanish-era influences were retained. The city has been a tourist destination if you wish to witness the Spanish-era influences through the restaurants, museum and churches. And one of these is the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral.

The cathedral has been damaged and destroyed several times since the original cathedral was built in 1581. the sixth and current incarnation of the cathedral was completed in 1958 and was consecrated as a minor basilica in 1981.

The very first cathedral is made of nipa and bamboo but it was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and razed by fire in 1583. The second cathedral, which was made of stone, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1600. Construction of the third cathedral began in 1614. The new structure, consisting of three naves and seven chapels, was blessed in 1614 but destroyed again by another earthquake which shook Manila in 1645. The fourth cathedral was constructed from 1654 to...