Basilica of Santo Niño

Infobox religious building
building_name =Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

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image_size =220px
caption =The Basílica Minore del Santo Niño is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines
location =Cebu City, Philippines
religious_affiliation =Roman Catholic
consecration_year =1565
status ="Basilica Minore"
functional_status =active
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leadership =
architecture =yes
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architecture_type =Church
architecture_style =Mixed baroque and Neo-classical
groundbreaking =
year_completed =
specifications =yes
capacity =
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materials =coral stones
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The Basilica of Santo Niño, also called Basilica del Santo Niño, Basílica Minore del Santo Niño and formerly known as the San Agustin Church prior to its elevation as a "Basilica Minore", is a 16th century church in the heart of Cebu City, Philippines. It is purportedly built on the exact spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting Jesus as a black Holy Child, was found by Spanish conquistadors in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition.

History

The church of Santo Niño de Cebu was founded by an Augustinian priest, Andrés de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565. The first church structure was built out of earth, hard wood and nipa in 1566 ordered by Fr. Diego de Herrera. In 1735, Fernando Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed of hard stone, which was built in the same spot were the previous church stood. Construction was completed in 1739. 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.

Museum

A small museum inside the Basilica showcases the rich history of Christianity in Cebu. Antique objects are on display, including century-old furniture, priestly vestments and the Santo Nino's old cloaks donated by individuals over the centuries. Religious articles such as statues and relics are also displayed and other items of daily life from the adjacent "convento". Several toys may also be seen; these are said to be presents to the Child Jesus, as well as a large Santo Niño rosary composed of 15 beads.

External links

* [http://www.basilicadelsantoninodecebu.org.ph/index.html Official website of the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño]
* [http://cebuheritage.com/heritage-of-cebu/old-churches/basilica-minore-del-santo-nino/ Basílica Minore del Santo Niño article]
* [http://cebuheritage.com/heritage-of-cebu/old-churches/basilica-minore-del-santo-nino/original-image-of-the-sto-nino-de-cebu/ The original image of the Santo Niño de Cebu]