Magellan's Cross Pavilion

Magellan's Cross Pavilion
Magellan's Cross Pavilion in July 2024
Religion
Affiliation	Catholic
Province	Cebu
Location
Location	Plaza Sugbo, Cebu City
Country	Philippines
Architecture
Completed	1834
Materials	Coral stone
National Cultural Treasures
Designated	April 14, 2021 (2021-04-14)
Region	Central Visayas

Magellan's Cross Pavilion is a stone kiosk in Cebu City, Philippines. The structure is situated on Plaza Sugbo beside the Basilica del Santo Niño.^[1] It houses a Christian cross that was planted by explorers of the Spanish expedition of the first circumnavigation of the world, led by Ferdinand Magellan, upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 21, 1521.

Along with the Basilica del Santo Niño's church and convent buildings, the pavilion is a declared National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines.

Background

Pavilion

Pavilion interior

The Magellan's Cross Pavilion which houses the tindalo cross was built sometime in the 1834 under Spanish colonial rule. The structure is octagonal kiosk made of coral stone.^[1]

The pavilion and the tindalo cross itself sustained cracks due to the 2013 Bohol earthquake.^[2] The original cross was also found to have deteriorated due to termites in 2015.^[3] The pavilion was closed for renovations and was reopened in March 2016.^[2]

On the ceiling of the pavilion's interior, is a mural depicting the baptism of Rajah Humabon and his household by Fr. Pedro Valderrama and the planting of a wooden cross by Ferdinand Magellan.^[4][5] The artwork was done by Jess Roa and Serry M. Josol.^[2]

Cross

The Magellan's Cross refers to the original wooden cross planted by explorers of the Spanish expedition of the first circumnavigation of the world, led by Ferdinand Magellan, upon arriving in Cebu, Cebu Island in the Philippines on April 21, 1521.^[6]

The original cross was encased inside another wooden cross made of tindalo wood in 1835. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross who believe that the cross possesses miraculous powers.^[2][7] Some people, however, believe that the original cross has been destroyed.^[7]

The cross was named as the "2021 Jubilee Cross" as part of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.^[8][9]

Designation

The pavilion along with the Basilica del Santo Niño Church and Convent were collectively declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on April 14, 2021.^[10]

References

1. "President Aquino joins turnover rites for newly restored Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño". Presidential Communications Operations Office. March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
2. Bering, John Branzuela (March 20, 2016). "Visiting Magellan's Cross in Cebu, after heritage sites restored". Rappler. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
3. Miasco, May (April 13, 2015). "Magellan's Cross kiosk closed for 'treatment'". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
4. Katigbak-Lacuesta, Mookie (April 4, 2019). "The half-day tour: Cebu for beginners". ANCX. ABS-CBN. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
5. Paredes, Joel (March 21, 2021). "A second look at the 'discovery' of the Philippines in 1521". BusinessMirror. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
6. "Magellan's Cross: A Symbol of Christianity in the Philippines". Suroy.ph.
7. "Magellan's Cross, on the Island of Cebu". University of Hawaii. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
8. Saavedra, John Rey (November 29, 2019). "Countdown to 500th year of PH's 1st baptism kicks off Dec. 1". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
9. Palaubsanon, Mitchelle (April 14, 2021). "100 adults baptized in Triduum Mass". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
10. "Basilica church, Magellan's Cross pavilion are national cultural treasures, not Sto. Niño statue". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 15, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.

10°17′35.9″N 123°54′6.5″E