Quiapo and the Black Nazarene church
The city's densest market, around a statue six million people come to touch.
Duration
1 hr – 1 hr 30 min
Best time
Friday morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
Quiapo church holds the Black Nazarene, a dark wooden statue of Christ brought from Mexico in 1606 aboard a galleon. The wood blackened in a fire on board and the statue survived: it has been credited with healing power ever since.
Every 9 January the Traslación carries it through the streets and draws several million people into a single procession — one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The rest of the year the surrounding district is a continuous market: medicinal herbs, amulets, spare parts, and the candle sellers on the forecourt.
Getting there
LRT Carriedo station, the exit gives onto the church square. Twenty minutes on foot from Intramuros over Quezon bridge.
Rules on site
This is one of Manila's worst districts for pickpocketing: nothing in back pockets, bag in front, phone away. Avoid 9 January unless you came for the procession.