Basilica del Sto. Nino

Basílica Menor del Santo Niño, also called Basilica del Santo Niño, is a 16th century church in the heart of Cebu City, Philippines. It is built in the exact spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting Jesus as a black Holy Child, was found by Spanish conquistadors in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind by the Portuguese and Spanish explorers in 1521.

The church of Santo Niño de Cebu was first founded by an Augustinian priest, Andrés de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565. The first church structure was built out of earth, hard wood and nipa in 1566 ordered by Fr. Diego de Herrera. In 1735, Fernando Valdés y Tamon, the Governor of Cebu, ordered the church to be constructed of hard stone, which was built in the same spot were the previous church stood. Construction was completed in 1739. In 1965, during the fourth centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines, Pope Paul VI elevated the church to the rank of minor basilica.

The Basilica remains under the care of the Augustinia --- wikipedia

The Basilica at night



(L-R: The Altar/Fountain inside The Basilica)