Manila, Italy
Destroyed and rebuilt several times over, the Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila and one of the most important churches in the Philippines. The current Neo-Romanesque iteration (consecrated in 1958) is the eighth - or sixth, depending on who's counting - to stand on th
e site since 1581, succeeding the 19th-century structure that was levelled to the ground during the 1945 Battle of Manila. A small exhibit detailing the Cathedral's history can be found in one of the side chapels near the entrance. Masses are offered daily; refer to the official website for a full schedule of liturgical services. Free, but donations are appreciated. '''In February 2012, church authorities announced the temporary closure of the Cathedral in order to make way for urgent structural repairs.''' No definite date has been given for the reopening, but reports say the work may require at least one year to complete. Weddings will apparently be accommodated until March but it is not currently known whether casual visitors will be allowed inside during this time.
Listen to the audio guide for Manila Cathedral Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off