Standing steel

San Sebastian Church is entirely made of steel and was  prefabricated in Belgium and was transported by 8 ships to the Philippines ,engineers built the church in steel so it can withstand earthquakes that occasionally visits Manila. Said to be designed by Gustav Eiffel, the same engineer who did the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty, it is reputedly the only all steel church in Asia and the only prefabricated steel church in the world.. In 2006,it was included as a Tentative list for possible designation as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

The back side of the San Sebastian Church.

But recently the Basilica is facing another possible major disaster, it may have withstood earthquakes but rust is eating this architecturally important structure. The World Monument Funds listed the church as one of the 100 Most Endangered sites.

One of the two towers of the Neo- Gothic Church.

The church has been declared a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government and restoration and preservation of the church is funded by both concern citizens and the state.