The façade of the Manila Cathedral is festooned with artistic bronze carvings representing its important historical episodes and giving homage to Mary, the Mother of God.
Bronze panels at the church’s main portal.
Bishop Domingo de Salazar blessing the original church in 1579 The collapse of the first stone church caused by the 1600 earthquake An interim cathedral, in nipa hut, after the 1645 earthquake The tragedy brought about by the 1863 earthquake The cathedral of wood and nipa on fire in 1583 Bishop Diego Vasquez de Mercado consecrating the rebuilt cathedral in 1614 Archbishop Miguel de Poblete collecting offerings for the reconstruction of the cathedral Destruction brought about by the 1945 war
The historical depictions, executed in eight bronze panels at the church’s main portal, shows
Bishop Domingo de Salazar blessing the original church in 1579
The collapse of the first stone church caused by the 1600 earthquake
An interim cathedral, in nipa hut, after the 1645 earthquake
The tragedy brought about by the 1863 earthquake
The cathedral of wood and nipa on fire in 1583
Bishop Diego Vasquez de Mercado consecrating the rebuilt cathedral in 1614
Archbishop Miguel de Poblete collecting offerings for the reconstruction of the cathedral
Destruction brought about by the 1945 war
Divided into eight panels, the smaller door on the left side of the main door depicts in bronze relief Mary as the:
Spiritual Vessel
Seat of Wisdom
House of Gold
Tower of David
Lily of the Valley
Morning Star
Welcoming Arch
Tower of Ivory
The other smaller door, found on the right side of the main door, portrays Mary in cast bronze as the:
Mystical Rose
Mirror of Justice
Ark of the Covenant
Hortus Condusus
Cliva Speciosa in Cambis
Fons Signatus
Gate of Heaven
Fruitful Vine