A unique architectural marvel located in the heart of Quiapo, San Sebastian Basilica has remained the Philippines’ only all-metal building since its inauguration in 1891. It is nationally recognized as a Philippine Historical Landmark and a National Cultural Treasure, the highest, most prestigious designations for any historic building in the Philippines. The church is also the country’s oldest basilica, and the first shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. It is a declared National Cultural Treasure, National Historical Landmark of the Philippines, but was listed twice on the World Monuments Fund’s Endangered Sites list. A product of the second industrial revolution, the basilica is as industrial in nature as its contemporaries, the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty—all constructed by rivets; no welding was used. The basilica, however, was disguised to hide the metallic and industrial nature of the church, and instead look like other neo-gothic churches of the time [...]
