Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is the center of the Archdiocese of Cebu
City. It was established as diocese on August 14, 1595 and was
became the metropolitan archdiocese of April, 28, 1934 with its first
archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes. The construction of the structure was
interrupted due to lack of funds and other circumstances. The facade
features a trefoil-shaped pediment decorated with floral carves.
It honors an ancient martyr, Saint Vitalis, whose feast day on April
28. It is believed that the feast day of the Saint coincides with the
same day that the image of Santo Nino de Cebu as found by one of Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi's men 450 years ago.
Large part of the cathedral was destroyed during World Ward II in the
city, but the facade, walls and bell tower built in 1835 remained. In
1950s, it was rebuilt by Architect Jose Ma. Zaragosa during the time of
Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes.
This cathedral also has a mausoleum at the back, built in 1982. It is
the resting place for the remains of Cardinal Rosales (died three months
after inauguration), Archbishop Manuel Salvador (coadjutor archbishop
of Cebu), Mariano Gaviola (archbishop of Lipa) and the first Cebuano
Bishop Juan Bautista Gorordo. April 28, 2009 - the cathedral underwent
into a major renovation during the 75th Anniversary of the archdiocese
and then a petition was sent to Benedict XVI: The Pope Emeritus (Pope Benedict XVI that time)
More of my Cebu Solo-Backpacking here >>> Cebu Adventure