Museo Sugbo and Magellan's Cross

The main purpose of our vacation in Cebu last year was to visit J's relatives living there whom we haven't seen in years so our time to tour around was quite limited but despite it, the history buff in me was able to squeeze in a quick tour of Museo Sugbo and Magellan Cross. 

Museo Sugbo, also known as the Cebu Provincial Museum, is located in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) along M.J.Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City. But before this 147 years old structure became the CPDRC, it was actually the provincial jail of Cebu, also called Carcel de Cebu. 

Carcel de Cebu was designed in 1869 by Domingo de Escondrillas, the lone architect in Cebu during that period. It was originally proposed as the Carcel del Distrito or the main prison for the Visayas District due to its size which was quite large at that time. Construction of the building began around 1871 and a renovation was ordered in 1892 which added more buildings. 

Apart from criminals, Katipuneros were also jailed there without trial. Many of those Katipuneros were eventually executed later on. For a short period during the American period, the prison even served as a stable for horses competing at a nearby racetrack but it was later used as a prison again. Guerillas were also incarcerated there after being tortured by the Japanese secret police, Kempeitai. 

After the transfer of CPDRC to a more modern prison complex in December 2004, the prison became the repository of Cebuano heritage. It officially became a museum when the first four galleries of Museo Sugbo were inaugurated on August 5, 2008. 

Collections for viewing in Museo Sugbo includes The Pre-Colonial Gallery, The Spanish Colonial Gallery, The Katipunan Revolution and the American Colonial Gallery, The War Memorial Gallery, Gregorio and Jovito Abellana Special Exhibition, Vicente Rama Special Exhibition, The National Museum Gallery, and Cebu Journalism and Journalist Gallery. 

Pre-colonial artifacts found in Cebu

Postcards featuring our National Hero Jose Rizal.

Old Philippine money. 

As a homeschooler, it will be great to visit this historic museum again for an in-depth study of  Philippine history. 

Took a short break at this windy spot. 

Before we board the ferry going to Bohol, we drop by to see Magellan's Cross which is housed inside a small chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines. Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers upon the order of Ferdinand Magellan upon their arrival in the island of Cebu on March 1521. Magellan's Cross represents the beginning of the spread of Christianity in our country which we have maintained since then. 

The original cross is actually beneath this cross we're seeing. It preserves the original cross and protects the original cross from people who might be tempted to take pieces of it as they are believed to be miraculous.

A common scene inside the chapel: church ladies who will pray for you using colored candles.
Each color represents an aspect of one's life. 

In front of Basilica Minore del Santo Nino

The basilica's area for votive candles.

Visiting historical places with our children is one way to instill patriotism and appreciation of history. More than taking pictures at these landmarks, take time to discuss the artifacts you're viewing and also the lessons we should learn from that part of our history. 

What other historical places in Cebu we should see on our next visit? Please share your suggestions in the comments section below. 

Yours, 

Lady

For more of our Cebu-Bohol Trip:
Sirao Flower Farm 
Temple of Leah