LOOK: This Free Museum Is Now Open in Intramuros

It's open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
by Ina Louise Manto | June 13, 2024

Manila’s Old Walled City just opened a new tourist center! The Intramuros Tourist Center was built on the former site of San Ignacio Church, one of the original seven churches of Intramuros that was once renowned as one of the most beautiful churches in Manila because of its Neoclassical architecture. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

Through an adaptive reuse project led by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, the ruins of San Ignacio Church have been transformed into the Intramuros Tourist Center. The project, funded by the Office of the President in coordination with the DOT and other government agencies, has transformed the historic San Ignacio Church into a dedicated tourist hub in Intramuros. This significant initiative marks a major milestone in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Manila’s iconic Walled City.

The Intramuros Tourist Center will provide a window into the significant events that transpired in Intramuros’s history, starting from the precolonial era to the Spanish colonial era, when Intramuros was the seat of government, to the destruction brought by World War II, and onward to the current and future development of this Walled City.

Adjacent to the Center is the Museo de Intramuros, which houses the ecclesiastical collection of the Intramuros Administration, many of which were excavated from the ruins of San Ignacio Church.

In addition to its historical narrative, the museum features a remarkable collection of archaeological finds unearthed from various excavations within Intramuros. These artifacts offer tangible connections to the past, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the Walled City’s archaeological significance. Items from the extensive collection of the Intramuros Administration further enrich the museum’s exhibits.

The next HOHO stop

The centerpiece of the Intramuros Tourist Center is an immersive museum designed to take visitors on a cultural journey through Philippine history. Beginning with the pre-colonial era, the museum exhibits significant cultural events during the early history of Manila, showcasing the indigenous cultures and societies that flourished in the region.

Frasco confirmed that once open to the public, the Intramuros Tourist Center will soon form part of the Hop-On-Hop-Off Manila- Cultural Hub, offering an exceptional experience for visitors and allowing them to delve deeply into the rich and diverse history of the World Travel Awards Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2022.

New tourism hub: a showcase of FBSE-trained frontliners

Beyond its role as a museum, the Intramuros Tourist Center serves as a dynamic information center that will be manned by DOT-trained tour guides, and tourism front liners trained under the signature Filipino Brand of Service Excellence training module.

Tourists can access essential resources, including guided tour information, details about ongoing events and activities within Intramuros, and services provided by the Intramuros Administration (IA), according to IA Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla.

Free to visitors

The Intramuros Tourist Center will open its doors to the public for free starting Wednesday, 12 June 2024, in time for the commemoration of the 126th Independence Day. It will operate daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.

This is a press release. Minor edits have been made by the WindowSeat.ph editorial team.