Being one of the historical havens in the Philippines, Cebu City is indeed full of rich culture and heritage. From the world-renowned landmarks like the Magellan’s Cross, the Queen City of the South is a primary location of choice for tourists and travelers to experience multi-century old history on religion, tradition, and destination.
Museums and churches that contribute to Cebu’s rich culture and heritage
Cebu City is an encouraging city to visit museums, rich culture, and heritage. These museums can be venues for live cultural activities that break away from the misconception that they are mere repositories of “dead” objects. On the other hand, many churches are present around the city, strengthening the consideration that Cebu is “Asia’s Cradle of Christianity”.
Here are some of the museums, churches, and historical landmarks that you need to visit when you’re in Cebu City.
Rizal Memorial Library and Museum
The Rizal Memorial Library and Museum is a Neo-renaissance building with a graceful staircase leading from the street to main great hall. The Rizal Memorial Library and Museum or commonly known to Cebuanos as the Cebu City Public Library.
It is a fruit of the contributions from residents way back in 1939 and is named after the country’s national hero and multi-talented scholar, Dr. Jose Rizal.
The library is open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5 PM. In March 2018, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the library to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week upon a student’s request.
The San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish
The San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Cebu City is famous for its interior made of multi-colored tile mosaic created by respected sculptor Fidel Araneta. The tiles are imported from Italy.
One of the oldest churches in the country and often underappreciated, the San Nicolas Church was built in 1584.
Located just across the Pasil Fish Market and a block away from Tabo-an, the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church was built in honor of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, the patron saint of the souls in Purgatory.
Colon Obelisk
The Colon Obelisk is a marker of the oldest street in the Philippines, Colon Street. The street is named after Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus).
Colon Street is a historical street in downtown Cebu City that is often called the oldest and the shortest national road in the Philippines. It traces its origins to the town plan by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who arrived in the Philippines to establish a colony in 1565.
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Colon, crowded and a bit run-down now, was the site of fashionable shops, offices, and movie houses. It was once the heart of Cebu City’s shopping and business activity, but in recent years (specifically during the early 1990s), much of this activity has shifted inland to the more modern, bigger and diverse commercial and business districts now spread in almost all of the urban areas of the city.
