Visiting Historic Places in the Philippines

The Philippines’ Rich History

Due to the long colonial history of the Philippines, you will find a rich blend of Asian, European, and American influences in its architecture, forts, cuisine, and fashion. You will find numerous historical sites such as ruins of old cities, forts, palaces, museums, parks, churches, and cemeteries mostly located in and around Manila, the capital city. The islands of the Philippines are the natural choice for tourists interested in inexpensive, historical sightseeing. As the first republic in Asia (1898), this country has witnessed massive change over the last century.

Ruins of the Colonial Regime

All over the Philippines, you will see the remnants of constant war in the form of ruined cities. like Intramuros. Don’t forget to visit the American and Chinese Cemeteries to pay homage to the soldiers who died during World War II. There are many palaces that are now converted to museums, guesthouses, or heritage buildings in the Philippines, like the extravagantly built Coconut Palace, and the 17th century Santiago Stone Fortress. It’s also worth checking out how the Filipinos have converted the Malacanang Palace from an 18th-century country house to the current headquarters of the Filipino government and the official residence of the head of state. It has a palace museum, which is open to the public. Not far away is Luneta Park, built in the honor of one of the Philippines' greatest heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal. This celebrated patriot was executed for spreading revolutionary ideals against Spanish rule. Many tourists are also enthralled by the National Museum of the Philippines, which preserves many archaeological exhibits like the skull of “Tabon Man,” a set of homo sapien skeletons dating back 24,000 years.

Natural & Archeological Wonders

Most would agree that the famous Taal Volcano (which last erupted in 1965) is one the most beautiful sites in Tagaytay City, just 60 km south of Manila. Don’t forget to check out Banaue, a tribal area where pre-colonial Filipino culture continues, as if untouched by Western influences. If you’d like to see what some consider the 8^th Wonder of the World, visit the Rice Terraces. More famous attractions in the area include a five-mile-long cave and the world's longest underground river.

Historic Religious Places

In the Philippines, there are many old churches like San Agustin Church in Manila, which, due to tenacity, luck, or divine intervention, has survived countless invasions. The oldest religious remnant in the Philippines is the Basilica Minore de Santo Nino, a holy site that withstood a devastating fire. San Pedro Cathedral, the oldest church in Davao, and Casa Gorordo Museum, originally the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu are also worth a visit.

The Philippines offers a variety of one to five day tour packages that allow you and any other eager travelers a chance to discover the historical, natural, and cultural wealth of this tropical paradise. During your visit, be sure to wear light, comfortable clothes because the weather can become sweltering. A word of caution, however, make sure to drink bottled water which readily available in most of the hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores. Dehydration can spoil even the best planned excursions.