Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino

The Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino was founded by the Augustinian priest, Andrés de Urdaneta, on the very day the Legazpi-Urdenta expedition arrived on April 28, 1565. The church houses the oldest Christian relic in the Philippines, the Miraculous Image of the Sto. Nino. It was built purportedly on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño was found by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition. The image was given by Ferdinand Magellan as a gift to Queend Juana after their baptism to Christianity, as a symbol of peace and friendship between the Spaniards and the Cebuanos.

In 1566, the church, which was then built with Nipa and wood, was destoryed by fire, and was rebuilt in 1602. The second church, again built with nipa and wood, was completed in 1626 but was again burned in 1628. Another church was built, this time using bricks and stone. It was completed in 1740.

In 1965, during the fourth centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines, Pope Paul VI elevated the church to the rank of minor basilica. The Basilica remains under the care of the Order of St. Augustine.

Today, thousands of devotees gather at trhe basilica every Friday for the Novena. Thousands more flock to the church for the Sinulog celebration help every 3rd week of January.