At Fort Santiago

My siblings and I visited Fort Santiago last April 9, 2011.

Fort Santiago is one of the oldest fortifications in the country and is part of the premier defense structure of the walled city of Intramuros built by the Spanish Government in the Philippines in 1571.

Before the Spanish colonizers came, the area where the fort stands used to be the settlement of early Filipinos led by Rajah Sulayman. This fortress is near the mouth of the Pasig River.

Our National Hero - Jose Rizal was incarcerated here in Fort Santiago from November 2 to December 29, 1896. He was charged with rebellion, sedition and formation of illegal societies; and was sentenced to death by firing squad by the Spanish authorities. He was executed on December 30, 1896 at Luneta which is now known as the Rizal Park.

Inside Fort Santiago is the Rizal Shrine that houses the memorabilia of our National Hero.

On June 20, 2011 our nation will celebrate Rizal's 150th birth anniversary. Fort Santiago is one of the places we can visit to honor and remember Jose Rizal.

San Agustin Museum

San Agustin Museum In Intramuros, Manila

The San Agustin Museum used to be the Monastery of the Order of Saint Augustine inside Intramuros. In 1973, the monastery was converted into a museum that houses a vast collection of Filipino, Spanish, Chinese and Mexican art treasures.

The original monastery building was destroyed in 1945 during World War II.

A 3,400 kg bell that used to hang at the belfry of the San Agustin Church greets visitors at the entrance of the museum. Inscribed on the bell were the words "The Most Sweet Name of Jesus."

Right after the bell, the first hall inside the museum is the Sala Recibidor. This former classroom and receiving area now houses the ivory art collection of Luis Ma Araneta. Aside from the ivory statues, there's the XVIII th Century wooden retablo of the Intramuros Administration; the chalice, monstrance and other church artifacts on display were either cast in silver or gold and embellished with diamonds and precious stones like amethyst, emerald and ruby.

The monastery has four massive corridors that serves as an exhibit hall for the oil paintings by Filipino artists like Enriquez and Fuster, as well intricately carved century old Chinese drawers and XVIII th Century carrozas used for processions inside and outside the church.

first floor corridor

carrozas

Right after the Sala Recibidor is the entrance to the San Agustin Church. Please read a separate entry on San Agustin Church here .

Next to the Church is the Sala De La Capitulacion or the old Vestry where the priests dress up in preparation for church activities. It is here were Governor General Fermin Jaudenes drafted the terms of surrender of Manila to the Americans in 1898. It now exhibits church artifacts and paraphernalia.

The Sacrity of the former monastery follows the Sala De La Capitulacion, in display in here were Aztec inspired doors and frescoed walls, China chestdrawers, statues and paintings.

Next to the Sacristy is the Refectory/Sala Profundis. The Refectory was the former dining room and next to it was the Sala de Profundis were the priests say their prayers before and after their meals. The refectory was converted in 1932 into a crypt for Augustinians and later on for other Filipino families.

The crypt gives me the creep.:) I was not able to look around because there's this heavy feeling inside this part of the museum. In my haste, I failed to see Niche 87 where Filipino Painter Juan Luna is entombed as well as the monument in memory of the victims of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

The main staircase of the monastery that leads to the second floor is made from 44 pieces of Chinese granite stone brought in 1780 from Canton.

The perfectly round dome at the staircase is made from light bricks with six rectangular windows.

The second floor of the cloister is made up of the San Pablo Hall with the model scales of the San Agustin Church and Monastery; the San Agustin Hall that showcases the paintings and photos of churches built by the Augustinians from 1565-1898 as well as the Filipino Grammars and Dictionaries written by Augustinians; the Porcelain Room which houses the shards of porcelain excavated form the San Agustin complex and the Church Vestment Room where XVII and XVIII th Century liturgical vestments worn by the friars are on display.

The Oratorio/Antechoir/Choirloft is accessible through the main staircase of the museum, please read my post on that through this link.

second floor corridor of the museum

Two hours inside the museum is not enough to explore its every nook. I'm looking forward to visiting the San Agustin Museum soon.

San Agustin Church in Intramuros is open daily from 8:00am -12nn and from 1:00 pm -6:00 pm. Tickets for the museum is at P100.00.

The Treasures of San Agustin Church

Treasures of San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Philippines

When you visit San Agustin Church, you can proudly say that you visited the oldest stone church still standing in the Philippines. The construction of this church was started in 1586 and was completed in 1607. The church is the only one out of the seven churches within the Intramuros that remained standing after World War II. And you can boastfully declare right after your visit that you have seen one of the four baroque churches in the country designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. :)

interior of the church

The outer facade of the church is very simple but don't forget to take a closer look at the ornately designed wooden carved door at the entrance of the church. Carved in the main door are the images of the Order of St. Augustine's founder Saint Augustine and his mother Saint Monica as well as the emblems of the Augustinian Order. The bell tower on the left side of the church was destroyed by an earthquake and the bell that used to hang on it is now displayed at the adjacent San Agustin museum.

But its simplicity on the outside belies the beauty that can be seen inside the church. The inside of the church is in the shape of a cross. It has a vaulted ceiling and a painted dome, done by Italian artists Alberoni and Dibella. On its ceiling hang XIXth century old chandeliers . Within the church are 14 chapels and tombstones on the flooring.

one of the chapels within the church

Don't forget to visit the tomb of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the founder of Manila at the side of the altar.

the chapel that houses the remains of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi

tomb of Manila founder, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi

Displayed at the choir loft are 68 pieces of magnificent carved molave choir seats with fine inlays, the majestic XVIIIth Century Pipe Organ and a big lectern with cantorals.

the lectern with the cantoral and the intricately painted dome of the church

intricately carved molave choir seats

the huge pipe organ

If ever you're in Intramuros don't forget to drop by San Agustin Church. :) San Agustin Church is at the corner of Juan Luna and Real Streets in Intramuros, Manila.