Magellan’s Cross is a large wooden Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 8, 1521. This cross is housed in an octagonal-shaped chapel decorated with murals depicting scenes from the Christianization of the Philippines.
Octagonal-shaped Chapel of Magellan’s Cross
A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers. Some people, however, believe that the original cross had been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan’s death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines.
text from Wikipedia; Wikitravel
Postcard view of Magellan’s Cross with the ceiling murals
View of Megallan’s Cross Chapel at Night
Magellan’s Cross can can be found beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (just in front of the city hall of Cebu City) along Magallanes Street in downtown, Cebu City.
