Magellan's Cross

Magellan’s Cross
Magallanes Street, Cebu City
20 February 2009






The Magellan’s Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 21, 1521. It was also to commemorate the arrival of Christian religion in the Philippines.

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu on Magallanes Street (Magallanes being the Spanish name of Magellan), just in front of the city hall of Cebu City.

Us four met up with our van companions at this place, since it was basically right next to the Sto. Nino Church. They’ve been waiting for us for quite sometime, and since the place was just small, we hurriedly took our pictures and off we went.

Some pictures:


This octagonal Magellan kiosk was built in 1834 using coral stones, and is roofed with tile.


The different shot of Magellan’s Cross at the center of the kiosk. This big cross made of tindalo wood encases the original cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan on the same spot. As what I read in other articles, the people of Cebu covered the original cross with another wooden cross to protect it, as people started chipping it off, believing it has miraculous powers. Some chip it off and kept as a souvenir.


Surrounding the cross were these red candles. Because we were in a hurry, I wasn’t able to get what these candles were for. But, there were women in yellow shirts and red skirts outside whom you can approach if you want them to be your "prayer warriors," so maybe these candles were for them.

*** Jenn ***