San Agustin Church

San Agustin Church in Intramuros is truly a treasure. The moment you step inside, you feel the calm , the soft light, the painted ceiling, the old wooden pews… everything is full of history and charm. It’s amazing to think this is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, and it’s still standing strong after so many centuries. I loved walking around the museum too...So many old artifacts and details that tell the story of the country’s past. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Manila! Quiet, sacred, and simply beautiful ❤️

San Agustin Church in Intramuros is truly a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and a must-visit historical landmark in Manila. As the oldest stone church in the Philippines (completed in 1607), it holds deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by intricate details that reflect Spanish colonial artistry—elaborate trompe l'oeil ceiling paintings, massive wooden doors, and finely carved choir stalls. The stone walls and ornate altars speak volumes of the craftsmanship and devotion that went into building this church over 400 years ago. The atmosphere inside is both serene and awe-inspiring. The soft lighting, combined with centuries-old architecture, creates a solemn yet majestic feel. Whether you're visiting for spiritual reasons, historical curiosity, or simply to admire its beauty, San Agustin Church offers a timeless experience. Also worth noting is its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, which only adds to its prestige. A true gem within the walled city of Intramuros—San Agustin Church is more than just a religious structure; it’s a journey into the Philippines' rich colonial past, beautifully preserved.

UNESCO historical site, this Church is still functioning and has a wonderful museum attached to it. When we visited this church, there was a wedding going on. This museum has many sculptures and old Bibles. Also, a cemetery is also inside the building. The staircase is astonishing. The entrance fee is very low. A lot of to see and recommend to allow at least one hour here.

One of Intramuros’ hidden treasures offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. The place features antique sculptures that tell the story of the Augustinians, the early priests, and the arrival of Christianity in the country. It also houses remarkable artworks, from paintings based on biblical scenes to intricately crafted statues of various saints by master artisans of the past. We visited on a quiet weekday, with only a handful of other tourists around, which made the experience very peaceful. If you enjoy historical art and unique pieces, this spot is definitely worth a visit.

I visited San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, and it was a beautiful experience. The church’s interior is stunning, with intricate ceilings, old chandeliers, and historic charm that truly stands out. As the oldest stone church in the Philippines, it carries so much history and peaceful ambiance. It’s also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museum beside it is worth visiting to learn more about its past. Whether for prayer, reflection, or sightseeing, San Agustin Church is a must-visit spot in Intramuros.

San Agustin Church is a beautiful and historic landmark in Intramuros, Manila. The church’s architecture is stunning, with its grand interiors, detailed ceilings, and peaceful atmosphere. It’s the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it truly special. The place is very well-maintained, and you can really feel the sense of history and faith inside. The adjoining museum is also worth visiting to learn more about the church’s past. A must-see for anyone who appreciates art, culture, and history.

I've been here so many times, but this is the first time I tour the inside of the Church. It's always the best option to request a tour guide. Guides are free because they are volunteers. But please give them a fair tip, they are very knowledgeable and detailed. Entrance fee is 200 pesos.

I wasn't able to enter since there's an ongoing wedding. Wish there is a schedule / timetable for the public to see so visitors can get inside. Also there is a 250 pesos fee entrance (as of this writing) to see the entire church museum, garden, crypts.

After visiting the Manila Cathedral, our tour group wandered down to the San Agustin Church to find another wedding in progress. Hence, we couldn't go into this UNESCO World Heritage Site, at least this part. However, watching this wedding was cool as the fully attired bride stood outside the closed doors of the church and then viewed the whole panorama of the interior when they opened. I was behind her several feet back and marvelled as she walked into her future life. And later when we were in the Monastery area, we had the opportunity to respectfully look through a gate into the Church right where the bride and groom were seated in front of the altar. Our tour group probably spent a good hour on the Monastery side as our guide when through Augustinian history, philosophy, vestments, literature, furniture, etc. etc. She was really into it, but it was really too much detailed information, unless you were a devout male Catholic ready to sign up as a Priest. Plus, my sometimes-Catholic Wife disengaged well before I did, starting with the strong musty smell in the Vestments room. In hindsight, a dedicated tour to this Church and Monastery would have been a better idea, especially for those who wanted to know this level of Augustinian Order detail up front. I was happy to wander around and experience the architecture and the cultural overlay in more general terms. The last room that went through the history of the Catholic Church's Philippines outreach was also fascinating. How this Church survived the destruction of Manila at the end of WW2 is also worth the extra time to learn.

At 417 years young, San Agustin is the oldest stone church in the Philippines founded by the Spanish Augustinans. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its groundbreaking in 1586, it took 21 years for its completion in 1607. The interior is well kept and ornate. This is a beautiful church which survived several wars and earthquakes over the centuries. Parking lots do not exist in this space simply due to the age of the building so if you pay a visit, you will need to arrange transport. We took a Grab rideshare vehicle to come into town. If you are into churches and history, San Agustin is definitely worth the visit while visiting Intramuros.

Plan a good 1.5 hours to explore all the rooms and halls of this sprawling two-floor world heritage site. Museum tickets are 200 PHP pp.The heat can be stifling when not in their air conditioned rooms. Save appetite for the fun food and juice stands outside. The surrounding cafes will charge twice the price.

Standing the test of time, the San Agustin Church is a reminder that even amidst destruction, beauty and faith can prevail.

The San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines and was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. Some of the famous Spanish conquerors are buried here -- including Miguel Lopez de Legaspi (the founder of Manila), Martin de Goti, and Juan de Salcedo. Entry to the church is free. It's a nice place to stop and take a break while walking inside the walled city of Intramuros. Don't let the plain exterior fool you. The historic architecture is beautiful inside.

San Agustin is a Roman Catholic church under The Order of St. Augustine. It is located inside the walled city of Intramuros and a great find for any history buff. The church was completed in 1607 making it the oldest church in the country. Admission is for a fee because this is really more of a museum now, than a place to attend service. It is a historical landmark. Inside and outside is beautiful. The church is well maintained and the walkways are lovely. There is art inside along with other collections that you will enjoy. The courtyard is just beautiful.

As part of our US / PI Ambassador Tour with dignitaries, one stop we made was at San Agustin Church. Dubbed the oldest church in PI, I know my relatives are quite familiar with this landmark. In fact, my cousin recently got married here in February. During our visit, there was a mass going on, so we were not able to go inside and tour the vicinity. What I appreciate is that there are lots of people who come to church - no matter your status. We took several photos around the location. The architecture is old, historic and beautiful! So majestic! It's hard to believe how old it is and yet such a gem. Not to be missed when you're in the area.

When in Manila, Philippines, one must visit the San Agustin Church. Beautiful! It is known as "The Oldest Church in the Philippines" (built between 1587 and 1606). My first experience here as a visitor was several years ago for a friend's wedding. According to Guidebooks, the church was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in World War II. The current building that is standing in the location is actually the third building. Additionally, the church is tagged as historical landmark by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) under "Baroque Churches of the Philippines". For me personally, what I love most about the church is the architecture (lots of ornate details with lots of history and cultural merit). Picture worthy! ENJOY!

Oh you'd like to get married at San Agustin Church? Sure! Being a wedding planner, we get to work with and at churches and see the nitty gritty of the process for each. Naturally, we are always at San Agustin Church, with it being the church in Manila with probably the most colorful history and with it being the main church of the Diocese of Manila. San Agustin has the usual requirements, pretty reasonable rules and regulations, and fees that are evenhanded if you ask me. Yes, they do charge extra if you want to have your photographer go up to the balcony for a top shot. Yes, they do charge extra if you want to have photos taken at the church museum before or after your wedding. Yes, they do have rules that could seem a bit strange. But all these fees are collected to maintain the stairs and the balcony that your photographer will take photos from, to keep the museum collection in pristine condition for future generations to see, and for church maintenance in general. You wouldn't mind paying extra to be able to use a decent, well-maintained toilet, would you?

I come to church for the architecture, and San Agustin Church is amazing in the category. Although the exterior is a bit bland, especially after they painted it with shocking orange, the interiors are lovely. My dad always told me that you can see a community's culture in its place of worship, and here you can deduce that during the time of the Spanish, Catholicism was on the rise. This church is massive, and its architecture is worth the visit all by itself, but you might want to stop by the tombs of conquistadors and statesmen. For a behind the scenes look, they also have a museum in one wing of the church, where you can walk back in time, from the day the church was first commissioned, to its influence when Intramuros was the centre of the Spanish government in the Philippines, and how it was one of the few buildings left intact after Intramuros was bombed during World War II.

Just a year ago, one of my friends suggested that we go to Intramuros for some sightseeing. I wasn't too keen with the idea because I'm not really the type of person who enjoys historical sites. I would rather go out at night to roam the city. During that time, I had no choice but to say yes, because I didn't want to be a killjoy. It took us 1 and a half hours to get there and to be honest, I didn't really feel excited. The walls of Intramuros crept me out and I got really tired from the walking that we just did. While exploring the walled city, we saw the San Agustin Church. On one corner of the church, the history of Intramuros is printed on a metallic plaque. Once you get inside, you'll be amazed with the church's intricate design that is based on Baroque architecture. For me, this church is one of the best representations of the Spanish Golden Era. If you're planning to go there on a trip, don't forget to bring your camera because every corner is a sight to see.

This church houses what is probably one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite museum in all of historical Manila. To be honest, when I heard that they were renovating San Agustin and that they painted the outside of the church this questionable salmon color, I swore my heart stopped for two seconds in fear. See, one of the charms of the museum is the fact that they managed to keep most of the old architecture that was used during the Spanish era. Even if the rooms aren't furnished the same way, the structure is still there. I love the place for its historical value. From the artifacts on display to the architecture (I know, I can't stop harping about it), there's just something so classical and old world about it. I don't want to spoil anything because it's better seen than described but all I can tell you is to make sure you go to the choir loft. The view is amazing. If you've come to Manila looking for a taste of its history or if you just want to learn more about what influenced our culture, Intramuros is definitely where I'd take you and you can bet that San Agustin church will be on the itinerary. It's the one museum I can go to over and over and never be bored.

When people talk about Intramuros, the San Agustin Church will surely be mentioned. Although the Manila Cathedral will always be the premier church of the Philippines, I personally prefer the San Agustin. Maybe it has something to do with my hometown having San Agustin as its patron saint. This church is also a symbol of resilience having survived the carpet bombing of Manila during the Second World War. The church is not always open but you can go to the adjacent museum where there is an entrance to the church. The museum itself is worth your time but if you chance upon a mass then you can enter the church without paying a fee although it can get pretty crowded and you'll have a limited time to admire the interior of the church. And it is awkward taking pictures during the solemn celebration of the mass. You will definitely earn your share of raised eyebrows. The facade of the church is relatively plain except for the intricately carved massive wooden doors. But don't let that deter you. The interior is really breathtaking. And the vaulted ceiling of the church is magnificent. I cannot believe that such a ceiling exists in Manila. It's something that one can expect in churches in Rome but definitely not in Manila. Bring some pain relievers or some of those medicated plaster strips since there's a high probability of leaving with a stiff neck after staring up at the ceiling for a long time. The artistry that went into the making of the ceiling is awe inspiring. If you don't fancy some strained neck nerve cells then you can just feast your eyes on the eye level works of art. There are niches with works of art that will give your eyes a feast. So many that I've visited this church thrice now and I'm still discovering new details that I missed during previous visits. Even if you are not religious, a visit to San Agustin Church is still worth your time. Visit it to get a glimpse into the artistry and skills of its creators. Immerse youself into this massive work of art and maybe you will be convinced that divine intervention indeed saved this church from bombs, floods and earthquakes.

Must see site in your Manila visit/tour. Located in the Intramuros a block or so away from the Manila Cathedral. The "oldest church in Philippines" and one of the surviving structures after WWII. When we visited the site, Mass was being performed so we were mindful was attire and conduct. No, duh! Respectfully observe the service and no pic taking. If you want pix of the interior, go to the site when not in Mass. As always, there will be some shady characters around so be aware of your surroundings when just outside the building. Enjoy the beautiful past of the Phil in this Church.

I usually take my foreign friends around for impromptu tours, and each tour wouldn't be complete without a stop in San Agustin Church, which is one of the most beautiful and architecturally interesting churches that I have ever been. I grew up in a Born Again Christian household and Catholic Churches have always been such a fascination to me, and I have learned about religious architcture, art and symbolism later on in my life as a student. What I love about San Agustin is the rich history and the beautiful interiors of this church. I love the trompe l'oeil ceilings, which were skillfully painted with interesting scrollwork patterns that appear as if they were sculpted as reliefs or raised sculptures. I also love the different niches that have burial sites of different families and important individuals. I have also had the opportunity before to visit the adjoining museum, and it was an interesting trip down memory lane. I take friends here because it is very important to showcase one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are right in our backyard. The San Agustin Church is just one of the several churches that were bundled together to form the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.

Every time a foreigner friend comes to visit us in Manila, we go to Intramuros. The Walled City is a mandatory visit because of its historical value. One of the spots we like to show the visitors is San Agustin Church. It's what we call the "churches tour": we start at Manila Cathedral and then just cross the street to visit San Agustin one. I like the craved art on the wooden doors and the paintings on the ceiling. Besides the baroque style, San Agustin Church has a resilience story, just like the cathedral. It survived to wars, earthquakes, typhoons and so on. It's certainly one of the oldest churches in Manila and it was the only building in Intramuros to survive to the World War II effects. Knowing this, it's impossible not to feel emotional. There's a strong energy there - a place who survived to so many episodes must be really special!

I don't know but everytime I plan to visit San Agustin Church, there would almost always be a wedding. I don't blame them; getting married in the oldest stone church in the Philippines (it was originally erected in 1571) is quite a dream. With the baroque architecture, the rustic and romantic vibe, and the idea that this church has seen over 420 years of Philippine history, makes it the perfect place to visit if you're craving to immerse yourself in a bit of culture. If ever you would want to visit San Agustin, you can either opt to just see the church or you can visit the museum which would give you an overview of the Spanish colonial times with also a dose of history on Chinese-Philippine trading. Be sure to complete your tour by visiting the adjacent garden known as Padre Blanco's Garden--now a top choice for wedding receptions.

A must see destination inside Intramuros. The church is wonderfully preserved and curated for an interesting walkabout of the two-story structure surrounding a peaceful interior garden. The thick, stone walls offer a cool reprieve from the sun. Many rooms are still functional so you may have an opportunity to see members of the clergy. Other rooms host interesting historical artifacts both of religious nature (tabernacles, paintings, and costumes) and not (ancient Chinese pottery and medicinal plant research). The cost to enter is 200 peso and worth every one.

Built in 1571 by the Augustinian friars, San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It is famous not only because of having tested time, but also because of its beautiful baroque architecture. In 1993, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. When I hear San Agustin Church, I immediately think: weddings. I remember walking down the aisle as a flower girl at my uncle's wedding. More recently, my friend walked down the aisle at her own wedding. Wow. There are so many weddings that happen here in a day. Before you even leave, sometimes there's already a bridal party waiting outside. Usually, random photographers hang at the back trying to get that Natgeo worthy photo. The ornate carvings on the pillars and roof of San Agustin Church are indeed awe inspiring but as a kid I remember being creeped out by the stones with etchings of names and dates of when they died. Something that old will definitely give you chills of some sort.

San Agustin Church is often said in the same breath as the Manila Cathedral, probably because they're just a stone's throw away from each other. Or maybe because they're arguably the two grandest, most beautiful churches in the country! Seriously, go inside, and you'll see how much like those churches in Europe they are. They're steeped in such history too. Did you know that San Agustin Church has stood strong against a number of fires, earthquakes, and even the liberation of Manila during the war? It's one of the longest standing structures in the city! Check out the architecture and gorgeous baroque design. Take notice of the ornately carved church doors. Inside, look up and stare at the trompe l'oeil detail in the ceiling-- is it real or just painted on? Walk on past the church and spend time inside the massive monastery compound, which houses a museum and gardens open to the public. It can get tiring but it's worth it to walk through and imagine what it had been like during the Spanish time. The stone stairways and wood-furnished rooms still in place, with unique 16th and 17th century artifacts, are pretty interesting to see!

In many of the greatest churches around the world, a visit isn't just a religious experience. It is also one of historical exploration, as many of the best churches essentially function as a museum, if not include a full museum on the side. People of different cultures and religions visit these sites after all, and having a place that explains the nuances of Christianity allows tourists a better understanding of what makes old churches beautiful. In the Philippines, one of the best examples of the church+museum is San Agustin Church. Everyone in Manila should already have gone there, but tourists should ideally make it their first stop on a church tour. Getting to know about the Philippines' own brand of Christianity and our specific traditions is important to understand the beauty of other churches, and San Agustin does the best job of explaining things. While there are other bigger or more elaborate churches in Manila, this is by far the most educational.