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1
Cebu’s old commercial district — still teeming with fast
trade to the day — also houses the beautiful scars of her
history. Start exploring the downtown area by visiting the
Spanish-era Cárcel de Cebú, a rehabilitated prison (pun
intended) that is now Museo Sugbo
(
MJ Cuenco Ave; tel:
+63 32 239 5626),
the provincial museum and repository of
her 448-year history.
2
Line up with the devotees who wipe their handkerchiefs on
the glass that encases the first Catholic relic in the country,
the miraculous Sto. Niño at the Basílica del Sto. Niño
basilicasantonino.org.ph),
and stop for the
de rigueur
photo at
Magellan’s Cross just outside.
3
A kilometer away, explore three of Cebu’s old houses in
the Pari-an district, a stone’s throw from the oldest street in
the country, Colon. The well-preserved Casa Gorordo
(35
Lopez Jaena St; tel: +63 32 255 5645),
which was the
home of the first Filipino bishop of Cebu, is first on the list.
4
Nearby, the Yap-Sandiego ancestral house
(155
Lopez
Jaena St, corner Mabini St; tel: +63 32 253 5568)
,
now a
museum of the owner’s extensive antiques collection.
5
By far the most enigmatic residence is just around
the corner. The Jesuit House of 1730
(
tel: +63 32 255
5408)
,
the oldest dated house in the country, was recently
discovered inside a warehouse. The house continues to tell
its many stories through unearthed clues as owner Jimmy
Sy restores it to its full glory. Earthquake-proofing structures,
Jesuit symbols, metal grills made in the time of the
Titanic
and an urban legend of a macabre crucifix on its 300-year-
old coralstone wall, carved after seven murders, makes this
house a must-visit in the area.
C I T Y T R I P P E R S
Downtown Cebu
Cebu Strait
Central District
Pari-an District
Old Commercial District
For the
culture vultures
Cebu Pacific flies to Cebu from across the network.
