San Agustin Church (Manila)

The San Agustin Church in Manila is the oldest church founded in the Philippines. The first church was built in 1571 and is the only building that has escaped the destruction of Intramuros during the Battle of Manila. The church was built three times after numerous earthquakes and wars to Manila again. It is only a few hundred meters from the Cathedral of Manila and the Fuerza de Santiago.

San Agustín is situated in the former fortress of the present city of Intramuros in the center part of the Philippine capital. It is the first European church in the Philippines, which is built entirely of stone and is designed in Spanish architecture. The church also contains legacies of the conquistadors Miguel López de Legazpi, Juan de Salcedo and Martín de Goiti who have found their final resting place beneath the church.

The church has 14 side chapels and a trompe- l'oeil headliner. In the choir loft is carved by hand seats are from the 17th century.

A small managed by the Order of Saint Augustine museum next to the church presents antique furniture, clothes from the colonial period, devotional paintings and icons.

Together with three other Baroque churches in the Philippines, this building was added in 1993 in the World Heritage Site.