Philippine National Museum
The National Museum of the Philippines was established in 1918 and is a comprehensive museum with a history of more than 100 years. It houses many precious artifacts and works of art, such as the famous painting "Spoliarium" by Juan Luna, as well as relics and treasures from the Spanish galleon San Diego, which is beloved by Filipinos. They also provide consulting services for artists, art dealers, collectors, domestic and foreign tourists, and art enthusiasts, offering artist resumes and information on Philippine art.
Philippine Chinese Historical Museum
This is the first Chinese history museum created by a private organization in the world. It showcases the trajectory of Chinese people in the Philippines: from cultural traditions, language and songs to any form of Filipino content, the existence of Chinese can be found. Here, there are exquisite prehistoric artifacts and coins, galleries that preserve precious printed materials and photos, as well as unearthed porcelain collected from various parts of the Philippines and precious ancient artifacts brought by early Chinese immigrants to the Philippines. Through these, one can intuitively feel the influence of our Chinese people on the local area and experience the hard work and struggles of our early Chinese immigrants to the Greater China region.
Jose Rizal Memorial Museum
Located in Castillo de San Diego, the Rizal Shrine Museum is a commemorative museum of Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The museum displays various exhibits such as his books, manuscripts, sketches, paintings, handmade crafts, souvenirs he collected while traveling to other countries, and colonial period furniture collected from his hometown in Laguna. Here, visitors can learn more about the national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, and get a glimpse of the life of the Filipino people during that era. It is also the place where he spent his last days.
Manila Casas Museum
Casa Manila is a residential community of upper-class Filipinos in the late 19th century to the early 20th century, also known as the "Manila home," which is a two-story yellow building. Walking into the foyer, you will see a beautiful circular courtyard, and typical furniture of elite Filipino families from the last century is displayed in the two-story buildings surrounding the courtyard, including luxurious bedrooms, study rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and stables, all available. The stone building seems to freeze those past times, vines crawling on the walls create a long historical atmosphere, allowing people to find inner peace from the hustle and bustle of Manila.
Metropolitan Museum of Manila
The Metropolitan Museum of Manila in the Philippines is a simplified version of its famous counterpart in New York, but it still displays many precious cultural relics, including gold jewelry, ancient pottery, contemporary Filipino art collections, as well as national treasures. Though it only consists of two floors, the museum showcases a lot. The exhibition on the ground floor is based on the theme of Philippine historical maps.
Ayalra Museum
Ayala Museum was designed by the late Filipino artist Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo in the 1950s and has four floors. Its exterior appearance looks connected to the famous commercial complex GREENBELT, which may make people think that it is a mall, without the solemn feeling usually possessed by museums. However, each floor records different histories, and each history is worth delving into.
St. Augustine Museum
St. Augustine Museum, located in the grand St. Augustine Church, was once a part of the St. Augustine Monastery and now documents over 450 years of the history of Catholicism in the Philippines. Despite being through wars, typhoons, and earthquakes, the building remains intact and houses religious artifacts, paintings, sculptures, maps, and books, making it a true Catholic cultural museum. One interesting feature is the chapel on the lower level, where many Philippine politicians and celebrities rest, such as the first governor-general Legazpi and the leader of the struggle for parish control, Burgos. If you want to learn about Catholic culture or visit religious landmarks, don't miss the St. Augustine Museum!
Currency museum
This museum is small but located inside the Central Bank of the Philippines building, exhibiting various kinds of money. It stores different ancient currencies and their histories, from the Spanish colonial period to the Japanese occupation era and current times. These various-shaped currencies hold deep historical memories, offering great learning opportunities for those interested in the economic history of the Philippines. As a lesser-known museum, it has a low guest flow and is free of charge, making it a perfect place for a peaceful visit.
Museo della Calzatura Maiano Malpassi (Marikina Shoe Museum)
This special museum has appeared on CCTV1 news. The Marikina Shoe Museum is the first and only shoe museum in the Philippines. As you enter the museum, thousands of shoes, thousands of shoe molds, and a nearly 2-meter-high pair of high-top leather shoes will appear in front of you. The museum is divided into two floors: the first floor is the shoe exhibition area, which includes 800 pairs of shoes donated by former Philippine First Lady Imelda, including foreign luxury leather shoes, locally produced Filipino sandals, and various shoes donated by Philippine presidents, senators or politicians, Manila mayors, ambassadors, and some foreign heads of state.
Malacanang Palace
Malacañang Palace is the official residence of the President of the Philippines, equivalent in status to the White House in the United States, located on the Pasig River in the San Miguel district of Manila. It is a fusion of Spanish-style palace and museum, becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions locally. With its rich history and changes over time, Malacañang Palace is a wonderful place to experience the exotic charm of another country – highly recommended!
