San Agustin is the most popular church for visitors in Manila because it is a masterpiece that every traveler looks forward to visiting in the city. San Agustin Church Manila is an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1993 under the serial declaration of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, together with three churches in Paoay, Ilocos Norte; Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur; and Miagao, Iloilo. Built in 1595, San Agustin Manila, officially known as Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin, is the oldest church in the Philippines. It exhibits remarkable features such as retablos (altars) of high Baroque style and wall buttresses separating cripto collateral chapels. What makes it unique is its ceiling paintings in the tromp l’oeil style.
The centuries-old church bore witness to the 400 years of Spanish rule in the country. It has survived many bombings and earthquakes, and through its countless renovations, incorporated other influences including Filipino and Chinese designs. Clearly, the church stands witness to the rises and falls of the Philippines.The building of San Agustin Church in Manila started in 1571 and was only completed in 1607. As of writing, San Agustin Church is 413 years old, making it the oldest church in the Philippines.
The Baroques Churches of the Philippines was inscribed in the WHS list because these churches established a style of building and design that was adapted to the physical conditions in the Philippines which had an important influence on later church architecture in the region. The Baroque Churches of the Philippines also represent the fusion of European church design and construction using local materials and decorative motifs to form a new church-building tradition.
