Carvings

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