Vacation in Manila, Philippines could be a cheap destination compared to other Asian destination. Although it appears the traffic is unbearable in the city center, but some of the hidden history waiting to be seen. When planning to travel to there, here are some interesting tourist attractions can be visited when arrived at Manila.
1. Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is a defense fortress built for Spanish Conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The fort is part of the structure of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Philippines.
Fort Santiago also has a high historical value because of Jose Rizal, Philippines national hero, was imprisoned in the castle before he was executed in 1896. One of the features websites that you can see is in the footsteps of bronze. This is the last step when Jose Rizal walked from his cell to the execution site.
2. Rizal Park
Rizal Park is a park located in the heart of Manila, Philippines, specifically in the northern end of Roxas Boulevard, overlooking Manila Bay. In this park, you can see the monument of Rizal, a beautiful garden and also a small lake with a replica of the Philippine archipelago. This is one of the places that is often visited by locals and foreign tourists.
3. Intramuros
This is the style of a fortified medieval Europe and serves as the central government in 1571-1898. Massive wall stretched as far as 4.5 kilometers, covering an area of 64 hectares in which there are palaces, churches, monasteries, schools and residences of the rich.
Unfortunately, the whole town was razed to the ground by shelling American troops when they recaptured Manila from Japan in 1945. Currently most of the castle gates and walls have been restored, this will make you like thrown into the past.
4. San Agustin Church
San Agustin is a Roman Catholic church located in the walled city (Intramuros), Manila. Completed in 1607, this is the oldest church still standing in the Philippines. In addition to San Agustin Church, there are no other buildings of his age in the Philippines that still survive.
In 1993, San Agustin Church, one of the four Philippine churches built during the Spanish colonial designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the classification of Baroque Church of Philippines.
Being in a church that has a length of 67.15 meters and 24.39 meters wide, you can see a touch of baroque architecture, especially in carving the door. While in the churchyard, you will see a statue of a lion. This church also has 14 chapels and beautiful ceiling paintings of Italian artists Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella.
5. Manila Cathedral
Manila Metropolitan Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Located in Intramuros district of Manila, this cathedral has been damaged and destroyed several times since it was built in 1581. It is dedicated to Santa Maria as the protector of Philippines.
The main facade of Manila Cathedral is decorated with statues of saints are carved on the famous Roman travertine stone. In the old cathedral, they were originally made of wood molave.
6. Araneta Center
Araneta Center now is a central area of 35 hectares of commercial area in Quezon City, Philippines. Estimated 1 million visitors come to the Araneta Center every day. Center of the complex is the Araneta Coliseum is claimed to be Asia's largest entertainment venues with seating capacity of 25,000.
