The San Pablo Cathedral — formally the Parish of Saint Paul the First Hermit — anchors the city centre at the main plaza. The current structure dates to the Spanish colonial period and was rebuilt and expanded over several centuries. The thick stone walls and bellower are the most visually striking features, and the interior contains colonial-era religious artworks and altarpieces.
The plaza in front of the cathedral is the social hub of the city: locals gather here in the evenings, children play in the fountain, and the surrounding streets fill with street food vendors after dark. The Doña Leonila Park adjacent to the cathedral gardens offers shade and a pleasant spot to observe city life.