Magellan's Cross, Cebu City, Philippines

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Magellan's Cross

Cebu City


Ferdinand's Catholic legacy, a large wooden cross, is housed in a stone rotunda (built in 1841). The crucifix on show is said to contain remnants from a cross Magellan planted on the shores of Cebu in 1521. A painting on the ceiling of the rotunda shows Magellan erecting the cross (actually, the locals are doing all the work – Magellan's just standing around). After the Santo Niño, this is the most venerated religious relic in Cebu.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Cebu City attractions

1. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

0.05 MILES

Cebu's holiest church houses a revered Flemish statuette of the Christ child (Santo Niño) that dates to Magellan's time. The church is no stranger to…

2. City Hall

0.06 MILES

Lords it over Plaza Sugbo and Magellan's Cross.

3. Cebu Cathedral

0.14 MILES

This neoclassical cathedral was completed in 1909, replacing many earlier structures on the site. Only its facade and belfry survived WWII bombs.

4. Carbon Market

0.2 MILES

The sprawling Carbon Market is a boisterous, cacophonous frenzy that seemingly never sleeps. It's a local affair: expect mounds of fruit and vegetables,…

5. Fort San Pedro

0.27 MILES

Established in 1565 under the command of Miguel López de Legazpi, conqueror of the Philippines, Fort San Pedro has served as an army garrison, a rebel…

7. Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House

0.41 MILES

The atmospheric Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is among the country's oldest residential homes, built around 1680 from wood and coral stone, its design…

8. Casa Gorordo Museum

0.47 MILES

Downtown, in a quiet residential area, this museum was originally a private home (built in the 1850s). Later it was purchased by the Gorordos, one of Cebu…

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