Minor Basilica of the Holy Child, Roman Catholic basilica in Cebu City, Philippines
The Minor Basilica of the Holy Child is a baroque parish church in Cebu City designated as a national treasure of the Philippines. At the center of the main altar stands a covered shrine that presents the small 16th-century wooden statue behind glass.
Spanish Augustinians founded the first church on this site in 1565, only a few decades after European seafarers reached the Philippines. After several fires, the current stone church was built in 1737 and later received the rank of a minor basilica.
The name "Basilica del Santo Niño" refers to the small figure of the Christ child kept inside, which pilgrims from all regions of the Philippines come to venerate. On Fridays, worshippers gather before dawn on the forecourt to attend successive masses and light candles afterwards.
The pilgrim area can accommodate several thousand visitors, with additional open-air masses held on certain weekdays. During large gatherings, surrounding streets are closed to traffic to make room for the crowds.
In the basement, a small museum displays old liturgical objects, manuscripts, and relics that document the evolution of Santo Niño devotion across the centuries. Some exhibits date from the earliest decades of Spanish colonial rule and offer insight into the religious practices of that era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
