Magellan's Cross

In a small chapel in Cebu City sits a wooden cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition in 1521 — the moment that began Christianity in the Philippines (which today is over 80% Catholic).

The cross you see is actually a wooden encasement; the original is preserved inside to protect it from people taking splinters as relics. The ceiling above the cross has a beautiful painted scene depicting the baptism of Rajah Humabon, Cebu's first Christian leader.

It's free to visit, takes 15 minutes, and is part of any Cebu City historical walking tour. The nearby Basilica del Santo Niño (Philippines' oldest Roman Catholic church) and Fort San Pedro can be done in the same afternoon.

The area gets crowded with domestic pilgrim tourists, especially on Sundays and during the January Sinulog Festival. Weekday mornings are quietest.