San Agustin (Manila)
The San Agustín Church in Manila is the oldest church founding in the Philippines . The first church was built in 1571 and is the only building that escaped the destruction of Intramuros during the Battle of Manila . The church has been rebuilt three times after numerous earthquakes and wars in Manila. It stands just a few hundred meters from Manila Cathedral and the Fuerza de Santiago .
San Agustín is located in the middle of the former fortress, today's Intramuros district in the center of the Philippine capital. It is the first European church in the Philippines to be built entirely of stone and designed in Spanish architecture. The church also contains bequests from the conquistadors Miguel López de Legazpi , Juan de Salcedo and Martín de Goiti , who found their final resting place under the church.
The church has 14 side chapels and a trompe l'œil canopy. In the choir loft there are hand-carved seats from the 17th century.
A small museum next to the church, administered by the Augustinian order , presents antique furniture , clothes from the colonial era , devotional images and icons .
Together with three other baroque churches in the Philippines , this building was included in the world cultural heritage in 1993.
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Coordinates: 14 ° 35 ′ 20 ″ N , 120 ° 58 ′ 29 ″ E