Photos of San Agustin Church

Founded in 1571, St. Augustine Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, and is listed in the World Cultural Heritage List as a representative of the Baroque church. Located in the city center, the church is a symbol of Philippine history. At the beginning, the church was built with bamboo, coconut leaves and mud, but it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1599. The Church of St. Augustine survived five disasters and two world wars, which is considered by many to be a miracle. The reliefs in the church are meticulous and realistic, and there are precious religious paintings in the collection; the stained glass refracts sunlight, which brings out the elegance of the church. The top floor of the choir at the top of the church overlooks the church. Inside is the St. Augustine Museum, a private museum managed by Friar Tober, displaying 26 icons, antiques, and more. Several Filipino dignitaries are buried in the basement. At the same time, the St. Augustine Museum exhibits colonial religious art, priests' clothes, and wood carvings reflecting the 1614 choir.