Hello friends! Maybe you still remember my post "Riding a Kalesa..."? From this event I still have pictures of very beautiful churches which I would like to show you today. ## Binondo Church The first one is the Binondo Church (also known as the Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz). It is located in Manila's Chinatown (Binondo) and uniquely combines Catholic and Chinese cultural elements, which is evident in the decorations and the mix of worshippers. Binondo Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, originally built in 1596, and is dedicated to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint. It's a significant religious and cultural landmark, especially for the Filipino-Chinese Catholic community. Typical for the interior architecture of this historic church are the high vaulted ceilings with painted religious murals, the pink/peach colored walls, and the ornate altar with Chinese-inspired decorative elements. Also the colorful stained glass windows with religious imagery are distinctive features of this basilica. ## Santa Cruz Church Santa Cruz Church (also known as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) was originally built by the Jesuits in 1608 and is one of the oldest churches in Manila. It's located in the Santa Cruz district, very close to the Carriedo Fountain (of which I also show one photo). The church has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes and war damage, with the current structure completed in the 1950s. Characteristic for this basilica are the cream/yellow and white Baroque-style facade with the distinctive octagonal bell tower on the right side, three large arches at the entrance with ornate decorative elements above the central doorway. The spacious, bright white interior with high vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and the distinctive altar with the golden backdrop and religious artwork contribute to the beauty of this wonderful church. Have you already visited one or both of these two tourist attractions? Now let's enjoy the picture and see you in my next post!

Binondo Church

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Carriedo Fountain

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Santa Cruz Church

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