The Timeless Marvel of San Sebastián: Manila's All-Steel Church!
Wow! I am still so grateful for the amazing support and engagement on my last post here in the Hive community. Thank you all for your constant help and encouragement. It motivates me to keep sharing!
Today, I would like to take you to a unique landmark located in the district of Quiapo, Manila: the stunning San Sebastián Church, a Gothic Revival masterpiece that has stood as a symbol of resilience and artistry for over a century.
This still-active and thriving parish was designed by Genaro Palacios. In the very year of its completion, 1891, it was declared a Basilica by the Pope, recognizing its historical, architectural, and ecclesiastical importance.
While often described as being "600 years old," that refers to the age of the parish community itself, established in the 1600s (which was about 400, not 600 years ago).
The incredible all-steel church building we see today was completed in 1891. That still makes it the oldest prefabricated steel church in Asia, and reputedly the world’s only all-steel basilica!
A Few Fascinating Facts:
A Church Made of Steel: After earthquakes and fires destroyed previous structures, the parish decided to build a fire and earthquake-resistant church. The entire structure—from the columns and walls to the ornate ceiling—is made of steel.
European Origins: The steel sections were prefabricated in Belgium, shipped across the ocean in eight separate shipments, and assembled on-site in Manila, like a giant, sacred puzzle.
Gothic Grandeur: It's a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture, with its pointed arches, stunning stained glass windows (some from Germany), and twin spires that reach for the sky.
It's absolutely breathtaking to stand inside; the grandeur and the history are palpable. It's a testament to the incredible engineering and faith of its builders.
Here are my photos of this magnificent place:
Visiting San Sebastián is like stepping into a resilient piece of history, where Gothic beauty meets engineering brilliance. Have you visited San Sebastián?
Once again, thank you for letting me share a piece of our heritage with you. The journey of discovery never ends, and I’m glad to have you all along for it!
It's mind-blowing to think about the dedication it took to build this beautiful and historical church.
And you've captured the hauntingly beautiful gothic essence perfectly. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing @gen-quimba. 💖
Yes, it was a really amazing achievement to build this church! And also inside it looks so beautiful!
:) great post! so ganda.. the church!
kamusta! join me in my new discord server.. filipinos of hive..
https://discord.gg/w4EefbaTcW
together we can raise up all of PH.
:)
LABAN!!
Welcome back, @chinito, and thank you for your nice comment the invitation to your Discord server, but currently I nearly have not enough time to master my daily tasks - life is a real struggle (I am also not active in the Discord of @hiveph because I simply find not enough time). So for now I will not join any new Discord channel, but I am really happy if you are stopping by and interact in my posts! I had missed your comments since quite a while! 😊
np, time is precious..
:)
beautiful church. ang sarap magdasal at magmuni muni :) Godbless
Thank you, I wish you all the best! 😊
You are very much welcome
Oh that chuch is indeed stunning—especially the interior! I once featured it in my contemporary arts project before as one of the Philippine churches I wanted to visit someday because I like how unique its design and ceiling structure. And speaking of featured, I just wanna ask if it's truly inside Intramuros?
As I remembered, it's somewhere in Quiapo so it's definitely outside the walled city. Perhaps you have confused it for another church. I can't really forget its location because it's one of the dream churches I wanted to visit someday 😊
You are right. I took a Kalesa ride through Intramuros, but the guide also drove to other parts in the surroundings which obviously confused me while writing this text. I will correct it now. Thank you for spotting this mistake! 👍
Ah ok...no wonder that you get somehow confused. No worries, we all get confused at times and you're welcome! At first, I thought it's just me who confused it with other churches, but then I realized there's no way it's the San Agustin Church in Intramuros because the design look different, and so I asked😅