Located in Plaza de Armas of the Fort Santiago, the Rizal Shrine contains the statue of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal and a collection of Rizal memorabilia such as books, clothes, paintings, medicine instruments. Jose Rizal, Philippines’ national hero, was a novelist and artist. He wrote two famous books, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, that continue to inspire Filipino people. He was held in Fort Santiago before his execution. Rizal Shrine reminds Filipino people how he fought for the Philippines using his talents, and dedicated his life for his country. Read More

Fort Santiago was the heart of Intramuros, a little city within the walled city of Intramuros. It was built by the Spanish colonists in 1571 after they established the city of Manila. It was occupied by the British in 1762 and then captured by the Americans in 1898. During World War II, Fort Santiago was used as a prison and dungeons by the Japanese Imperial Army. It was restored and converted to a shrine in 1953. Read More

One of the main attractions in Fort Santiago is the Bagumbayan Lights and Sounds Museum which chronicled the history of the Philippines. Mannequins under spotlight are set up to tell about life under Spanish colonization and Rizal’s life journey. The two (2) level building showcases Philippine’s history in a one hour walk-through. You can see sculptures and paintings depicting how Filipinos were introduced to Christianity by the Spaniards, the execution of the 3 martyr priests, Fr.Gomez, Fr.Burgos, and Fr.Zamora, and representation of Jose Rizal’s life in prison, The entrance fee is 150 per head. Read More

Chinese Museum “Bahay Tsinoy”, located in Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center building, was designed by Eva Penamora in 1996 and opened to the public in 1999. The museum promotes cultural understanding between Filipino and local Chinese whereas you can see life-sized dioramas of chinese merchants, laborers and artisans, rare prints, photographs, and The Galleon ship used by early chinese as trading transportation in realistic settings. It also houses a gallery of the Ching Ban Lee Ceramics and other exhibits that shows how Chinese Filipinos and local Filipinos fought together during pre Spanish period. Entrance fee is P100 for adults, P60 for students. Read More

This is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines and was built in 1607 during Spanish rule of the Philippines.The San Agustin Church is patterned after some of the magnificent temples built by the Augustinians in Mexico. It is located along Luna Street within Intramuros, Manila. It has survived numerous WWII bombings and the Battle of Manila. In 1976, the historical church was declared National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government, and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.The church was destroyed, damaged, repaired, and rebuilt many times from 1574 to 1945. Now the church is a tourist destination in the Philippines. Anyone can visit the Church and attend the mass every Sunday. Read More

Manila Cathedral, also known as “Minor Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion” is located in Beaterio St, Cabildo St, Intramuros. Originally known as the “Church of Manila”, Fray Juan de Vivero, who arrived in Manila Bay in 1566, established the cathedral in 1571. During World War II, the church was destroyed and damaged a few times by bombings. The present structure was finished in 1958. The cathedral was designed by Fernando Ocampo. He used elements of Renaissance, with some characteristics of Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Byzantine architecture in the design, and surrounded the main building by statues of famous saints sculpted by Italian artists. Read More

Home-turned-museum, Casa Manila was constructed by Imelda Marcos during the 1980s. Located in Intramuros, the museum was made to look like a typical Spanish upper class house in 1850s. Designed and built by J. Ramon L. Faustmann, casa was made with stone and wood inspired by spanish colonial architecture. Casa Manila is an example of a typical house of a very wealthy spanish merchant. Inside the museum, visitor can see impressive artworks, antique from Europe, luxurious chandeliers, antique piano, chinese ceramics and other elegant furniture around the living room. Outside the main building, there is Spanish-style fountain, furniture, doors & lightings. Entrance fee is 100 for adults, 60 for students. Read More