The church was built in the
Art Deco combined with Spanish Modern style, which was unlike the
Baroque churches built during the Spanish period. The church employed the latest technique in
reinforced-concrete building. The
Mission-style architecture includes
Romanesque and
Gothic designs that accommodate more space. Measuring with a height of , the church occupies a total floor area of . It is the biggest church in Metro Manila and one of the biggest churches in Asia. The church façade has receding planes with leaves designed in
corbel arches. Over the triple
portals of the church is a
high-relief frieze depicting the story of . The giant
bas-relief of Santo Domingo was designed by the Italian sculptor and expatriate Francesco Monti. Right behind Santo Domingo Church's facade is an intricately carved panels and stained glass windows lie a treasure trove of the Philippines' rich cultural heritage and the object of centuries-old devotion, the image of Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila, the oldest Philippine-made ivory Marian icon in the country. Somewhere in the vast church complex is a secret vault holding centuries-old ivory icons and wooden images of saints made by Filipino craftsmen; exquisite, gem-studded, age-old crowns; golden Marian robes; and fine jewelry for the Virgin presented by fervent devotees. The secrecy about the vault makes sense: In October 1762, thieves broke into the Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros and took some of its rare treasures, prompting security of the church's treasures since then. Other treasures that are deemed fit for public viewing can be found in the church's museum, to the left of the church. Another notable gift is the
National Artist medallion, which ardent devotee
Nick Joaquin instructed his heirs to donate to the Virgin before he died in 2004. The medallion has been affixed to the statue's foot since then. Stored in the vault, according to the book, are prewar ivory heads and hands for statues of several saints, including St. Dominic, St. Vincent Ferrer, St.
Catherine de' Ricci, St.
Agnes of Montepulciano and St.
Antoninus of Florence.
Pipe organ is located In the expansive choir loft sits a nearly century-old pipe organ crafted by Fray
Gregorio Hontomin, OP in Rosaryhill,
Hong Kong. The Dominicans relocated the pipe organ from Hong Kong to the church in 1954, following the closure of the
Chapel of St. Albert the Great's Priory—the hub of religious formation and studies for the Dominican Province of the Holy Rosary. Its inauguration took place on June 9, 1959. Restoring it to its former glory was entrusted to Diego Cera Organbuilders Inc., the stewards of the renowned
Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. The restoration encompassed the repositioning of the pipe organs from the edges to a slightly forward and exchanged position, the complete reconstruction and modernization of the
organ console, and likely an overhaul of the wind pump system. ==Church complex==