Simala Shrine
Simala Shrine: Where People Believe in Miracles
An hour and a half south of Cebu City, in the green hills of Sibonga, rises a structure sometimes called 'the Philippine Sistine Chapel.' Simala Shrine is not just a church but a pilgrimage site for millions of Filipinos who believe in the miraculous power of its Virgin Mary statue.
Regardless of your religious views, Simala makes an impression. The scale of the building, the emotions of believers, the healing stories — all create an atmosphere difficult to describe in words. This is a place where faith becomes almost tangible.
