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Beautiful Cebu Churches To Include In Your Visita Iglesia

Visita Iglesia is a religious tradition in the Philippines, where devotees aim to visit at least seven Catholic churches during the Lenten Season, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It’s a decades-long Catholic tradition, and also a good way to explore heritage churches in your hometown. If you’re in Cebu and are planning to continue your Visita Iglesia family tradition, here are some beautiful Cebu churches to add to your itinerary. 

 

 

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

Image by Arnold Carl Fernan Sancover via Wikimedia

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is known to be the seat of the archdiocese of Cebu. It’s one of the most historical churches in Cebu, having been built as early as 1565. But since then, it has undergone several renovations and restorations. The church design is Baroque-Rococo style, as evident in its use of a trefoil-shaped pediment on its facade, and you’ll also be able to see Spanish colonial architectural style in the structure.

Location: 6000 Mabini St, Cebu City, Cebu
Operating Hours: 8 am to 12 pm, 1 to 5 pm daily
Facebook: https://facebook.com/katedralsasugbo/ 

 

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu

via BMSN Media Center – Pitik on Facebook

One of the most popular pilgrimage sites is the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu, recognized as the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines. It is said to be built in the exact spot of the nipa hut where the image of Santo Nino de Cebu was found by Juan Camus, during the Juan Miguel Lopez de Legazpi expedition in the country. The current building was established from 1739 to 1740 and it is considered to be the head of all churches in the Philippines, definitely making it a must-visit historical site in Cebu. 

Location: Pilgrim’s Center, Osmeña Blvd, Cebu City, Cebu
Operating Hours: 6 am to 7 pm daily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BMSNCebu/ 

 

 

Simala Lindogon Church

Image by Patrick Roque via Wikimedia

Also known as Simala Shrine, this visually stunning, castle-like church is a pilgrimage site located in Sibonga, Cebu. It was built in 1998 in honor of the Virgin Mary, with Mary, Mother of Jesus as its patron. It is also home to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Lindogon. Many churchgoers, especially Marian devotees, visit this place to say prayers and go to mass. Situated uphill, the church also offers breathtaking natural scenery and landscape for everyone to enjoy.

Location: Sibonga, Cebu
Operating Hours: 6 am to 6 pm daily
Facebook: https://facebook.com/SimalaLindogonChurchSibonga 

 

 

Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod

via the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod Facebook page

Another church to include in your Visita Iglesia itinerary is the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod, located at the SM Seaside complex in Cebu. Its architectural structure is unique from usual Spanish colonial designs because this one presents a more modern design, with concrete panels of varying heights and widths on the facade. It is dedicated to St. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. 

Location: Church Ave., SM Seaside Complex, Cebu City, Cebu
Operating hours: 9:30 am to 12 pm daily, Tuesday – 9:30 am to 12 pm; 2 pm to 1:30 am
Facebook: https://facebook.com/chapelofsanpedrocalungsod/ 

 

 

Sacred Heart Parish Church

via Sacred Heart Parish Facebook page

This eye-catching church found along D. Jakosalem Street is the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded by Jesuits in 1952. It looks modern and elegant even from the outside leading to the chapel itself. It’s characterized by oval-shaped arches and stained glass windows. It’s a Jesuit-administered church where most Filipino-Chinese communities go to mass in Cebu. 

Location: 242 D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City
Operating Hours: 8 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday; Closed on Mondays
Facebook: https://facebook.com/SacredHeartParishCebu/ 

 

 

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish

via Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Lahug, Cebu City Facebook page

Continue your pilgrimage at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, located in Lahug, Cebu. It’s a simple chapel with a rich history as it was built by Dr. Virgilio Gonzales and his wife just after the American occupation in the Philippines. It was then ruined by Japanese forces, damaged and deformed. In 1959 a certain Juan Alburo had the idea of rebuilding the chapel with the help of the local community. Through cooperation and perseverance to rebuild, Lahug was able to have its own independent parish. 

Location: Edison St. cor. Pasteur Sts., Lahug, Cebu City
Operating Hours: 9 am to 12 pm, 1 to 5 pm weekdays, 9 am to 12 pm weekends
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintThereseLahug/ 

 

 

Redemptorist Church Cebu

via OMPH- Redemptorist Church Cebu

The Redemptorist Church in Cebu was established in the 1900s by the Redemptorist Congregation. It has Gothic Revival architecture, making it one of the most beautiful churches you can see for Visita Iglesia in Cebu. The church is also known as Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church. Here, you can attend adoration masses, pray the novena, and do the Visita Iglesia in time for the Lenten season.

Location: R. Aboitiz St., Camputhaw, Cebu City
Operating Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OMPHCebu/ 

 

 


Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod

via Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod Facebook page

This shrine is dedicated to Saint Pedro Calungsod and is situated at the Archbishop’s Residence Compound. It’s characterized by a simple facade but upon going inside, you’ll discover a well-designed church altar. In April, the shrine holds a martyrdom anniversary of Saint Pedro Calungsod.

Location: Archbishop’s Residence Compound, D Jakosalem St. 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
Operating Hours: 8 am to 6 pm (Monday), 9 am to 5 pm (Wednesday), 9 am to 6 pm (Thursday to Saturday), 4 pm to 6 pm (Sunday)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calungsodshrine/ 

 


Find more must-visit attractions on your trip to Cebu on KKDay’s website!

 

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