The Manila Cathedral, formally known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion, is one of the major points of interest in the historic walled Intramuros. It was originally built as a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese in 1579. The original church, which was constructed using the readily available materials at that time (nipa and bamboo), is now fashioned after neo-Romanesque architecture. It went through several renovations and iterations throughout history. The current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958. The cathedral was built in dedication to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Patroness of the country and serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila.
