Magellan's Cross, Cebu City

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This is the alleged Cross Planted by the portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magallanes (spanish name is ferdinand magellan) during his first visit to Cebu Province in april 21, 1521 whereby he claimed the islands for the spanish empire (an irony as the philippines was part of the portuguese sphere of influence as negotiated by the Pope for Spain and Poprtugal in the 1500's) and another irony is that a portuguese explorer under the employ of Spain will claim the islands as part of the Empire of Spain. Again, Ferdinand Magellan, erected the original large wooden cross at this location where Cebu's Rajah Humaton, his wife Juana, and 800 followers (who were moslems) were baptised on April 14, 1521 and the first Catholic mass in the Philippines) was celebrated.


The Cross is located in the Santo Nino Park Area, Facing the Basilica Minore De Santo Nino and the Cebu City Capitol Grounds.

opens 24/7 and no entrance fee.

according to wikipedia:

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street (Magallanes being the Spanish name of Magellan), just in front of the city center of Cebu City. A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers.[3] Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines.[1][2][4]

This is a special place for me because I have been into a historical place called the "Magellan's Cross"

It felt like I was with the colonizer "Ferdinand Magellan"

Little key chains are being sold here by the locals.*

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This is perhaps the most iconic place in Cebu......I always go here everytime i went to Cebu......Its just at the back of PNB Cebu along the Jackosalem Street.....for me thats my Landmark because i use the public transportation here..:)

There's so many Koreans tourist everytime I go there....so what I did for a change was that I had my picture taken together with too Korean girls...shouting KOREA...:):)

And with the candle girls...hahaha

another interesting spot in Cebu is the Magellan's Cross. Located just across the Bacilica Minore del Sto. Nino along Magallanes St. The original Cross was encased within the wooden cross that is found inside the gazebo like structure chapel. A painting on the ceiling depicts the history of what happened way back. Try to light a candle and say your prayer.

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You should not miss the Magellan’s Cross being the famous landmark in Cebu and having its contribution in the history of the Philippines. This cross was planted as a symbol of the arrival of the Portuguese and Spanish explorers headed by Ferdinand Magellan upon arrival in the city.
The cross is enclosed on a small hall that stands at the center infront of the City Hall.
The hall's ceiling has a canvas that portrays the historical event of the cross.

We recently found out that there's a cheaper souvenir store across the street of the Magellan cross. It's 50%-75% cheaper than the Souvenir island store, but the shirts' quality aren't the same.

We were residing in Mandaue City, our friend from Cebu advised us to take a cab instead so we can get back on time before the baptismal ceremony of our goddaughter (yeah, she's already my 4th goddaughter).

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Located next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño on Magallanes Street, Magellan's Cross is one of the most popular religious spots in Cebu City .... A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. There is a belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers, and many locals and tourists visit the Cross and light some candles and make wishes for the future ....

The cross is being ordered and set by Ferdinand Magellan upon his arrival in Cebu in the Philippines ...

The about 500 years old cross, called Magellan’s Cross is standing in a small chapel cross Cebu City Hall and along Magallanes Street.

One of the "must see" see places of Cebu City ...

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Visiting Cebu is not complete without passing by this historical relic which made the Philippines the largest Catholic country in Asia. According to History, upon 1st arriving in the Philippines, Ferdinand Magellan put up a cross in Cebu as a sign of Spain's sovereignty and Christianity as it's new religion.
It has been said that the original cross that was put up is inside the new one that you can see today. We may not know if it's real or not but it is pretty cool nonetheless.

The cross is situated near the Basilica De Sto. Nino church so expect a lot of tourist here. It is enclosed in a medium sized gazeebo like structure. Back when I was in elementary, I thought the whole place was huge but that was back then. Anyway, there are ladies holding candles inside the place and will dance for the saints so that your prayers will be answered.

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A wooden cross marks the spot where the first baptism of Filipinos led by Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana were performed in 1521.

The cross was planted by Spanish navigator Ferdinand Magellan, and it was named after him.

The cross is not miraculous, of course, but surprisingly some locals are offering flowers, lighting candles and even praying in front of the cross. Hhmm... I wonder what made them do these things?

This spot can be found right behind the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino. And just few steps from it is the Cebu City Hall.

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Around 500 years old , A cross was planted by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to celebrate the baptism into the Roman Catholic religion of Rajah Humabon (leader of Sugbu), his wife, and their followers on1521.It was housed in a small chapel near the Basilica of Sto Nino.
The original cross is encased on a Tindalo wood to protect it from deterioration etc. It was also believed by many to be miraculous that’s why before people took part of the wood.
Cebu City Hall now uses the cross as a symbol and the chapel’s image can be found in the city seal.

You can buy colored candles here for 50 pesos and let some women wearing colorful clothes to dance in front of the cross saying some form of prayer. You will tell them first what are your intentions and their chant will begin.

It's just hard to take a whole photo of the cross and the ceiling. You need to lie down to have a better view.

When the explorer Ferdinand Magellan "discovered" the Philippines in the 16th century he brought along a wooden cross which you could say represents the start of Catholicism in this country. THis cross which has since been encased in a bigger cross to protect it is now housed in a small circular structure near the Sto. Nino Basillica. The ceiling of the structure has a mural depicting the events that transpired when Magellan landed in Cebu. A true icon of Cebu and the Philippines.