Introducing San Sebastian Basilica
The San Sebastian Basilica, located in Manila, Philippines, was first constructed in 1621 and is the only all metal church in East Asia. A national historic landmark, the building has been rebuilt four times due to damage from conflict, fire and earthquakes and the current structure was designed to be resistant to these disasters. The steel to manufacture the church was shipped from Belgium and assembled onsite while the stained glass came from Germany. The interior of the church is painted to look like stone and features a variety of paintings done with the Trompe-l'œil technique to give the illusion of three dimensions. Today the steel basilica faces new challenges, including corrosion from salt air from Manila bay and water infiltration.
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Historic Context
In 1621, a wealthy patron and devotee of Saint Sebastian donated the land for San Sebastian Basilica. The original structure was made of wood, but burned in 1651 during a Chinese Filipino uprising. The church was then reconstructed using brick, but was again destroyed by earthquakes. The steel to manufacture the existing church was shipped from Belgium and assembled onsite in the late 1800s. The stained glass used for the windows came from Germany. The interior of the church is painted to resemble stone and features a variety of paintings created with the Trompe-l'œil technique, to give the illusion of three dimensions.
San Sebastian Basilica Today
San Sebastian Church was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1973 and is currently under the care of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, a Catholic religious order of friars and nuns. There are existing high rises behind the basilica and more are slated for construction, which would continue to ruin the historic landscape of the church and prevent it from being UNESCO eligible. Even so, there are many debates that the site should still be designated as a World Heritage Site because of its architecture and cultural significance.
San Sebastian (5 of 9)CyArk
The church is still used for religious services today and has been deemed a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. Today, the steel basilica faces new challenges, including corrosion from salt air from Manila Bay and water infiltration.
There are many groups, such as the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc. that are dedicating their time and resources to raising funds for the restoration of the basilica through the selling of locally created works of art.
Stained Glass
When San Sebastian was under construction, Quiapo was also a center for the arts in 19th century Manila. Inevitably, the community’s devotion was expressed through the art that still heavily decorates the church. Letting in the light are beautiful, ornately painted stained glass windows. They were made by the Henri Oidtmann company, a German studio renowned for their craftsmanship. The most ornate of the windows depict biblical scenes from the Sorrowful and Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. There are more than fifty stained glass windows inside of the church.
Documenting San Sebastian Basilica in the PhilippinesCyArk
Expedition Overview
In October 2019 CyArk partnered with the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation and ICOMOS (The International Council on Monuments and Sites) Philippines to digitally document the entire Basilica. Working with local partners CyArk documented the church using LiDAR or laser scanning as well as photogrammetry completed with drones and DSLR cameras. Following the documentation CyArk produced architectural drawings and maps of the Basilica to be used in ongoing conservation efforts as well as to monitor and assess the corrosion at the church over time. This project was made possible through the generous support of Iron Mountain.
San Sebastian (2 of 9)CyArk
Additional Resources
For more information on this site, its history and additional resources relating to CyArk’s work please visit
CyArk San Sebastian Basilica Resources.
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This project was made possible through the generous support of Iron Mountain and the following partners:
ICOMOS Philippines
San Sebastian Conservation and Development Foundation Inc.
