Home to a reportedly miraculous shrine, Quiapo Church is one of Manila’s most interesting basilicas. The Baroque structure has been reconstructed several times over the centuries, but always continues to attract congregants and visitors.
The prime attraction of Quiapo Church is the Black Nazarene, an ebony statue of Christ that forms the centrepiece of a biannual religious procession. In fact, an alternate name for the church is the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. The church boasts a Baroque façade designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil. When Quiapo Church received its designation as a minor basilica in the 1980s, it adopted another architectural point of interest: a relief of the crossed keys and tiara of the pope.
Quiapo Church is named after the neighbourhood it occupies in Manila. Its nearest public transportation stop is Carriedo and a ride from Rizal Park takes about 20 minutes. Colourful jeepneys traverse all corners of the city, while motorised and push tricycles are good for short hops, and horse-drawn carriages can be hired to explore the area in historic style.
Though Quiapo Church has only been designated as a minor basilica since 1988, a church has stood on this site since the 16th century. The bamboo-and-nipa-leaf construction was destroyed by Chinese pirates, and future buildings were lost to fires and earthquakes. The current iteration of Quiapo Church was erected in 1933.