Manila CathedralHistory & Architecture

Current Architectural Style: Neo-Romanesque

IntroductionTheManila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica(Filipino:Metropolitanong Katedral Baslika ng Maynil;Spanish:Catedral Baslica Metropolitana de Manila), informally known asManila Cathedral, is aRoman Catholicbasilicalocated inManila,Philippines, dedicated to theBlessed Virgin MaryasOur Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the PrincipalPatronessof the Philippines. Located atPlaza de Romain theIntramurosdistrict of theCity of Manila, the cathedral was originally a parish church owned and governed by theArchdiocese of Mexicoin 1571, until it became a separate diocese on 6 February 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull,Illius Fulti PraesidobyPope Gregory XIII.The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current instance of the cathedral was finally completed in 1958.The basilica has merited a papal endorsement fromPope Gregory XIIIand three apostolic visits fromPope Paul VI,Pope John Paul IIandPope Francis. On 27 April 1981, Pope Saint John Paul II issuedpapal bullQuod Ipsumdesignating the cathedral as aminor basilicaby his ownMotu Proprio.

HISTORY

The Seat of Spains Ecclesiastical RuleThe Manila Cathedral of today features Romanesque faade and beautiful cupola but its humble beginning is a far cry from when it was first built.Mandated with the mission of the sword and the cross, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, occupied Manila in 1571. Then the Spanish conquistador assigned an area for his new settlement for a church. The cathedral was known as Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate under the patronage of the La Purisima Immaculada Conception. The church was made of the common structural materials of that time. The main materials used are nipa, wood and bamboo. The fire that razed the city in 1583 prompted the first reconstruction of the church.The second cathedral was erected using stone as its main structure. It was an arduous task to complete the stone church. And in a country where natural calamities are common all year round, the cathedral was again hit hard by disasters. Earthquakes and strong typhoons lead to the devastation of the cathedral. In 1614, the new stone cathedral was built. The architectural design consists of naves, chapels and altars. Another earthquake toppled the church in 1645 and left everything in ruins.

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignDuring 1681-1863, the cathedral repeatedly rose from ruins only to pick itself up again from the rubbles. On the architectural perspective it gave opportunity to introduce a new style in every restoration that has been made.From an ordinary stoned cathedral rose a cathedral design contained with numerous altars and chapels. It had an imposing bell tower with a clock on the top. Inside the church are stained glass, molave woodwork and marble pavings. Ornaments, decorations and religious relics were either sourced from dignitaries, not to mention the poor citizens of the city who donated their precious pesos to maintain the high upkeep of the majestic cathedral.

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignIn 1751, architect Juan de Uguccioni led the reconstruction of the cathedral into a baroques inspired architecture. The church had broad oval naves and large-scale ceiling frescoes. However the 1852 earthquake destroyed parts of the cathedral and structurally weakened the other parts. The danger of a possible collapse is imminent therefore another reconstruction was made.

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignIn 1858, it marked the completion of the restoration of the cathedral. This time the architectural design under Nicolas Valdes used the Neoclassic style. This design features symmetrical shapes, triangle-shaped pediments and domed roofs. Then again in 1863, just like a cycle another earthquake struck and destroyed the church. The tragic event claimed lives to those inside the cathedral.

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignIn 1879, Don Vicente Serrano y Salaverri employed the Romanesque-Byzantine style to the cathedral. His design has endured and has been adopted by the present cathedral. The churchs external appearance is characterized by round arches, thick walls and large towers. The interior was richly decorated, naves are spacious, the dome was raised on a fenestrated drum, and the arches are beautifully ornamented.

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignManila Cathedral before the 1880 earthquake.Manila Cathedral belfry after the 1880 earthquake.

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignThe cathedrals last major restoration came after the ashes of World War II. In 1958, architect Fernando Ocampo was inspired by Serranos design but added more to its previous appearance to make it more functional in using space. It featured marbled floors, mosaic panels, arcaded colonnades, lovely columns and a Immaculate Conception themed cathedral, His Neo-Romanesque design is a combination of revival, renaissance and modern styles.

An Example of Neo-Romanesque style

Constant Evolution of Architectural DesignThe present cathedral is a product of the old cathedrals great design mixed with Ocampos architectural touch.

ARCHITECTURE

STATUESThe main faade of the Manila Cathedral is graced by statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman travertine stone. In the old cathedral, they were originally made of molave wood.The saints are St. Rose of Lima, patroness of the Philippines by Angelo Fattinanzi, St. Jacob the Great, St. Andrew the Apostle, preacher of the faith in many corners of Asia and patron of saint of Manila, by Livia Papini; St. Francis Xavier, apostle of the Indies, by Alcide Tico; St. Polycarp, old bishop of Smyrna, by Alcide Tico; and St. Anthony Abbot, founder of Oriental monasticism, by Livia Papini.

CARVINGSThe faade of the Manila Cathedral is festooned with artistic bronze carvings representing its important historical episodes and giving homage to Mary, the Mother of God.Bronze panels at the churchs main portal.Bishop Domingo de Salazar blessing the original church in 1579 The collapse of the first stone church caused by the 1600 earthquake An interim cathedral, in nipa hut, after the 1645 earthquake The tragedy brought about by the 1863 earthquake The cathedral of wood and nipa on fire in 1583 Bishop Diego Vasquez de Mercado consecrating the rebuilt cathedral in 1614 Archbishop Miguel de Poblete collecting offerings for the reconstruction of the cathedral Destruction brought about by the 1945 war

PORTALSBeneath the imposing rose-glass window, dominating the facade of the Manila Cathedral is the main portal executed in eight bronze panels by Italian sculptors Alessandro Monteleone and Francesco Nagni.Each panel measures 1.80 meters wide by 4.24 meters. The cast-bronze central door displays artistic relief representations of the important episodes in the history of the Manila Cathedral.Two smaller doors, on the left and right side of the main door, are also divided into eight panels depicting the liturgical invocations to Mary.

RIGHT NAVESix chapels are found alongside the right lateral nave of the Manila Cathedral. These are as follows :The Chapel of St. PeterThe Chapel of St. PeterThe Chapel of Mary Help of Christians and Our Lady of the PillarThe Chapel of Blessed SoulsThe Chapel of St. JudeThe Chapel of Sta. Potenciana and Sto. NioThe Chapel of St. Pius X and Ina Poon Bato

LEFT NAVETwo chapels, as well the baptistry, are found alongside the left lateral nave of the Manila Cathedral. These are as follows:The Chapels of St. Joseph and San Lorenzo Ruiz The Chapel of St. Joseph, now designated as the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, has a beautiful marble altarpiece executed by the Italian sculptor Eugenio de Courten. The artist designed the marble altar portraying St. Joseph the Worker in his carpenters shop in Nazareth, with the child Jesus and Mary. The altar table is supported by caryatids representing the two main virtues of St. Joseph : chastity and justice.The Baptistry The Baptistry of St. John the Baptist is found at the left side of the vestibule from the side entrance. The baptismal font in bronze is the work of Publio Morbiducci. Over the font is the sculpture of Jesus being baptized by St. John . Three fishes in the form of a triangle, a fish caught in an eagles claws, a dove with an olive bough, and stag drinking from the fountain are brought out in relief in the baptismal font. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Sacrament The Chapel of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Sacrament is an excellent example of architecture and the arts combined mosaic and sculpture very typical of Philippine religious architecture. It is effectively used as a vehicle for the mass propagation of the faith.

CENTRAL NAVETwo angels, sculpted in bronze and engrafted to a gigantic pillar, serve as the holy water stoups at the cathedrals immediate entrance area from the main portal. At the far end of the central nave is the marble altar, glowing in brightness, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

MAIN ALTAR

MAIN ALTARThe principal altar of the Manila Cathedral is a tribute to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. The frontispiece of this high altar is the impressive work of the German artist Toni Fiedler. The Blessed Mother is depicted as being paid homage to by the Patriarchs of the Old Testament on one side, and the saints of Christendom on the other. The background shows the Original Sin and the manger in Bethlehem, signifying redemption through the incarnation of the Word. The altar is supported by pillars representing Saints Catherine Laboure, Lawrence of Brindisi, Pius V, and Leo IX four saints known for their pious devotion to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception.The Main Altar - The tabernacle of the main altar, which is also Fiedlers work, represents Mary in the act of receiving the Body and Blood of her Son Jesus from the hands of the Beloved Apostle St. John.

COMMUNION RAILThe communion rail is a dominating feature which complements the beautiful altar of the Immaculate Conception. It is made of fine rosette orange, cream and white marble from Carrara , Italy . At its center are two small wrought iron gates leading to the altar table. Each gate is designed with cast bronze sculptures at the center depicting a lamb and a swan. Encompassed by the communion rail are the Episcopal Throne, found the left of the altar table, and the pulpit, found on the right.

EPISCOPAL THRONEThe Episcopal Throne is the seat of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila. Found at the left side of the main altar area, it is made of the richest and most significant marble that could be culled from the quarries of Carrara, Italy. The throne is featured with the escutcheon of the late Archbishop Rufino J. Cardinal Santos, the first Filipino Cardinal. It was under his initiative that the present Manila Cathedral was reconstructed after its destruction during the World War II in 1945.

PULPITThe pulpit of the cathedral is found at the right side of the main altar area. Since the pulpit is a stand at which Gods word is translated and expounded, the authors of the New Testament Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are portrayed here in different panels. Bronze reliefs of the four evangelists by Luigi Scirocchi find their way in the pulpit: Matthew as an angel, Mark as a lion, Luke as a bull, and John as an eagle.