From 500 year old forts, to magnificent cathedrals and vibrant old towns, here is a list of the absolute 15 best historical places in Manila.
Manila is among the most historically significant cities of the late middle ages and early modern era. By the time the Spanish established it as the capital of their new colony, Manila became one of the world’s first global cities as it formed part of a trade network that went from Madrid, to Mexico city and now to Manila back around the globe to Madrid again.
Manila is unique in that it has that distinct Spanish colonial architecture that many associate with South America, but mixed with a South East Asian culture. There’s no other place on Earth like it.
Exploring the historical places is Manila is easy as most of them are located within walking distance from each other, centred in or around the historical old town of Intramuros. Are couple of days are all you need to see all the places on this list.
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A Very Brief History of Manila
Before you explore Manila’s historical places, there’s a few things you should know that will help provide context to what you’re seeing.
Before the arrival of the Spanish, the area was a part of the local Kingdom of Maynila, from which it gets its name. The local kingdoms at this time were mostly Islamic, with the religion having spread through Arabic traders to Indonesia and eventually to the Philippines.
The Spanish held Manila for centuries, with the exception of a few brief times in which the city was conquered, once by a Chinese pirate and later by the British. During the Spanish era Catholicism was heavily promoted, with locals who refused to convert being treated as second class citizens.
During this time, there were several revolts by the locals attempting to overthrow their colonial rulers, and an independence movement remained relatively active the whole time, despite brutal attempts to destroy it.
The Spanish era ended in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. The Spanish Empire was a shell of what it used to be and was easily defeated by the Americans. The Filipino revolutionary movement used this opportunity to declare their independence, but the rest of the world refused to recognise it and the country fell under American control for the next 43 years.
The next major event in the city’s history came in 1941, just a day after the Pearl Harbour attacks, when the Empire of Japan invaded. This began a dark time in the country’s history, as the Japanese rule became infamous for its human rights abuses. Some of the historical buildings on this list were turned into prisons or used for other nefarious purposes by the Japanese during this time.
Manila was almost completely destroyed by the end of this war, as it was the site of the last stand of the Japanese army during the liberation by American forces in 1945. Every building in its historical old town was destroyed, except one.
Following this dark time, the Filipino people achieved something they had been fighting for for centuries: independence. It was a proud moment in their history.
All-in-all, Manila’s story is rich and eventful, which has also given it some of the best historical places in The Philippines.
The 15 Best Historical places in Manila
1 | Intramuros
The walled old town of Manila is, quite literally, at the centre of the city’s history.
The name itself is Spanish for ‘inside the walls’, and it was the original site of the Spanish settlement in the area.
Built in the late 16th Century, following the Spanish conquest of the local kingdom (The Kingdom of Maynila), these walls protected the administrative, political and religious heart of Spain’s most isolated colony. The colony’s most significant buildings were housed inside, many of which are featured on this list.
When it was first built, the walled city was situated on the coast, but after significant land reclamation efforts during the American era, the fort is now further inland.
In the final year of World War 2, Intramuros was the site of the last stand of the Imperial Japanese Army, as they fought to the last man to hold off the liberating American forces. Almost every building within these walls was destroyed in the conflict, but thanks to some impressive, and ongoing, restoration efforts, you couldn’t even tell.
Walking through Intramuros is a stroll through Manila’s past, and it’s easily the go to hub to see the best historical places in Manila.
2 | Fort Santiago
Located within the walls of Intramuros lies a 450 year old symbol of Spanish power in the East, and one of the most famous historical landmarks in the Philippines.
Fort Santiago was built in 1571 and, along with the walls of Intramuros, was the first thing the Spanish built when they chose this site as the capital of their newly conquered colony. Before this, the site was a wooden stockade fort used by the local Kingdom of Maynila.
For the following few hundred years, holding this fort has been synonymous with holding power in the Philippines, and because of this it has been the stage of several major conflicts in the region. Only a few years into Spanish rule, Fort Santiago was conquered by a Chinese pirate (Limahong).
In 1762 it was conquered by the British, who held it for a couple of years. By 1898, it was the American flag that was raised above the fort. Only 43 years later, it was the Imperial Japanese Army that called it home.
Today Fort Santiago is open to the public and serves as both a museum and somewhat of a public park. It’s massive size and preservation easily makes it among the top historical places in Manila.
3 | San Augustin Church
When Intramuros was destroyed during the second World War, there was only 1 building left standing: San Augustin Church.
This famous building is the oldest church in the Philippines and, aside from the walls & forts of Intramuros itself, is the oldest building in the whole country.
The first couple of decades were tumultuous for this place of worship, as it had to be rebuilt twice before it became the current structure you see today. First, in 1571 it was built out of Bamboo and Nipa (a type of palm tree), only to be burned down by a Chinese pirate just 3 years later. In 1573 it was rebuilt, this time using wood and, surprise surprise, it burned down again. The present structure, made of stone, was finally completed in 1607 and, aside from some renovations, still appears the same today.
Today San Augustin Church is still operating, and even hosts a museum in the adjacent building which has a collection of statues, sculptures and other predominantly religious artefacts from the area’s history.
4 | Casa Manila
Want to see what life was like for an affluent Filipino family during the Spanish colonial era?
The living museum of Casa Manila (Spanish for ‘Manila House’) offers just that.
The museum, located across the street from San Augustin Church, was only created in the 1980s but is a recreation of an 1850s manor which was located in a nearby part of the city, the home of a wealthy Filipino merchant.
The 3-story building is centred around a stone courtyard, and as you follow the guided path through its interior you’ll see 150+ year old furniture originating from the Philippines, Spain and China, laid out exactly as it was in the original home.
It’s truly a slice of history pulled right out of the 1800s, and offers a unique way to learn more about what life was like during Colonial Philippines.
Offering an insight 19th century Filipino city life, Casa Manila is certainly one of the best historical places in Manila.
5 | Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene
Also known as Quiapo Church, this Basilica is one of the most famous in the Philippines, as it houses the Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of Jesus which is said to cure diseases and perform miracles when touched.
A lot of historical churches in Manila have been destroyed and rebuilt more than once, and Quiapo Church is no exception. Including the original bamboo and nipa site built in the mid 1500s, this place of worship has been destroyed 4 times throughout its history, with the most recent being by fire in 1929. The present day concrete structure was constructed in 1935, and even managed to survive WW2.
The Black Nazarene statue has been destroyed & rebuilt half as many times but this hasn’t caused it to lose any religious significance as the basilica is still among the most visited churches in Manila, and is open to the public year round.
6 | Manila Cathedral
The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, as it was formerly named, is the most prominent of the churches within Intramuros.
While most of the churches on this list have been destroyed and rebuilt at least once, Manila Cathedral might hold the record. If we include the original Parish Church built in 1571 (before it achieved Cathedral status), this site has been destroyed a whopping 8 times, with the current building being the 9th.
From fires to earthquakes to typhoons and warfare, Manila Cathedral has seen it all. Despite this, the present day structure, which was built in 1958, is a magnificent building that closely resembles what it looked like hundreds of years ago.
Manila Cathedral is an essential, and hard to miss, visit when exploring Intramuros.
7 | Rizal Park & Monument
Just outside the walls of Intramuros lies one of the largest public parks in the Philippines, and a monument to an important historical figure.
Joe Rizal is among the most famous of all historical figures in Filipino modern history and a name you’ll likely hear a lot as you travel the country, as a lot of things are named after him.
The man himself was not directly involved in the 1896 Philippine Revolution, but his writing, and ultimately his execution (which took place in Fort Santiago), sparked the flame in an already flammable environment. This flame stayed very much alive all the way up until 1946, when the Philippines declared their independence.
Today this park is dedicated to Rizal, with his remains kept beneath the monument, and it has since hosted many important political and cultural events in recent Filipino memory, from protests to religious ceremonies.
It’s a great place to visit, not only for its historical significance, but also simply to escape the city chaos.
8 | Malacanang Palace
Malacanang Palace is essentially the White House of the Philippines, not just because of its colour but because it’s also the official residence of the nation’s president.
The colonial-style building, dating back to 1750, was not originally built for this purpose, but rather was the summer residence of a wealthy Spanish merchant until it was purchased by the state in 1825. By 1863 it became the official seat of power in the Philippines and has remained ever since, although in recent decades few presidents actually chose to live in it.
Today the palace hosts the Presidential Museum and Library, a gallery displaying the country’s leadership history, from the Spanish colonial era, through the American era, to the modern independent republics.
It may be located further away from most other entires on this list, but Malacanang Palace is one of the best historical places in Manila for those interested in the country’s political history.
9 | Santa Cruz Church
If you’re exploring Manila’s impressive chinatown, it’s hard to miss the belltower of Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church standing above the urban chaos.
More commonly called the Santa Cruz church, this structure is intertwined with the history of the adjacent chinatown.
By the late 16th century, Manila had a fast growing population of Chinese immigrants. The Spanish colonial government established the district of Binondo (chinatown) solely for those Chinese immigrants willing to convert to Catholicism. Catholicism spread quickly among them, and by 1634 the Santa Cruz church was built to accommodate them. Because of this, it became the sort of ‘Chinese church’ of Manila for hundreds of years.
The church has been destroyed multiple times throughout its history, twice by Earthquakes and again during the Battle of Manila (WW2), but thanks to restoration efforts, it still stands today in all its glory and is used by people of all backgrounds.
10 | Masjid Al-Dahab
Since the Spanish arrived, Manila has been dominated by Roman Catholicism, and its churches and cathedral can be found on almost every block, but within the district of Quiapo, home to a sizable Muslim minority, you’ll find something a bit different.
The Golden Mosque, as it’s also known as, is relatively young compared to most places on this list, being built in 1977 in preparation for a visit from Gaddafi (yes, that Gaddafi), but has quickly become the most important centre for the Islamic community in the city.
Despite being the second largest religion in the Philippines, Islam is only followed by roughly 6.4% of the population, and almost entirely in the southern regions of the country. Muslims in Manila make up less than 2% of the population, making mosques like this a very rare site.
It’s a beautiful structure that stands out among the surrounding cityscape, and within walking distance from many other places on this list.
11 | Chinese Cemetery
Manila’s prominent Chinese heritage is not just limited to Chinatown because adjacent to Rizal Park is another important piece of the city’s cultural heritage.
By the 1800s, Manila had a significant Chinese population and many of them had become wealthy as merchants. Despite this, those Chinese who refused to convert to Catholicism were still treated as second-class citizens and refused burial at the standard Catholic cemeteries.
In the 1850s, the Chinese community responded to this by founding their own cemetery, for catholics and non-catholics alike, and because of their wealth they were able to build graves and mausoleums grander than most. Even today, burial in the Chinese Cemetery is exclusive, expensive and reserved only for more affluent families. Its certainly one of the more unique historical places in Manila.
These days the cemetery is as much a popular tourist site as it is a a resting place for the deceased, with its wide streets and elaborate mausoleums making it seem more like a residential suburb for the deceased rather than an actual cemetery.
12 | National Museum Complex
A list of the best historical places in Manila wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Philippine’s top museums.
When compared to the museums in Europe and the US, it’s hard to find a good one in South-East Asia, but the National Museum complex in Manila definitely stands out.
The complex is made up of 3 different museums: Fine Arts, Anthropology, and Natural History. They’re all located right next to each other on the East end of Rizal Park like a smorgasbord of museums, letting you pick and choose the type that interests you.
A lot of historical places in the Philippines, such as the many forts and churches, are from the Spanish period, and it’s very rare to see anything on the country’s pre-colonial history. That’s what makes these museums such an essential visit.
The Fine Arts Museum displays works from the modern era all the way back to ancient times.
The museum of Anthropology focuses almost entirely on pre-colonial history and provides a fascinating insight into traditional Filipino life.
Then the Natural History museum of course provides a different side to the region’s history, including the geological formation of the islands.
13 | Baluarte de San Diego
In the South-West corner of the Intramuros fortifications lies the ruins of a tower and bastion which was once used to defend the coastline next to Intramuros.
In 1586 the Spanish built a watchtower on this site, which stood separately to the walls. Not much is known about the watchtower, because only about 6 years later it was demolished due to its lack of structural integrity. The remains of the tower were later used to construct the surrounding bastion in 1663, but the circular foundations still remain today.
A bastion, if you’re not familiar with the term, is the outward projecting part of a wall that’s used to give ranged defences a better angle at hitting defenders attacking the wall, a feature that became a standard on almost any fortification after the invention of cannons.
The bastion was destroyed by British naval cannon fire (remember this site was on the coast at the time) in 1762, and even though it was soon rebuilt it was ultimately abandoned in the 1860s after being damaged by earthquakes. It wasn’t until the 1970s that it was dug out of the soil that had swallowed it and now serves as a monument to the city’s colonial past.
14 | Bahay Tsinoy Museum
Chinese culture forms an important part of Filipino history. In fact the world’s oldest chinatown is found right here in Manila (the district of Binondo).
Since the Spanish arrived Manila has become a hotspot for Chinese immigration, with many being drawn for trade opportunities or to escape the declining Qing dynasty. Bringing their business prowess, many of them became successful merchants, formed an important part of the local economy and wielded considerable influence.
The Chinese history of Manila is fascinating and there’s no better place to learn more about it than at the Bahay Tsinoy Museum. Bahay Tsinoy is actually the name of the building, found within Intramuros, but what is houses is the Kaisa-Angeli King Heritage Center, dedicated to the history of the ethnic Chinese, with collections displaying their struggles and contributions to the country.
15 | Arch of the Centuries
The Arch of the Centuries stands at the entrance of the oldest university in Asia.
Of course educational institutions existed in Asia for thousands of years, but when it comes to a formal place of higher learning, there is none older than Santo Tomas University.
The Arch was first built in 1680, back when the university was located within the walls of Intramuros. After WW2, the university outgrew this site and was moved to the nearby district of Sampaloc. The Arch was dismantled and moved piece by piece to the new site where it was meticulously re-assembled.
The triumphal-style arch is a beautiful structure and is definitely worth a visit along with a stroll through the university grounds.
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