Joanna Marie O. Santos
August 24, 2023

The Philippines is rich with centuries worth of history and there are hundreds of historical locations that mark our land across the country. These places have stood tall and strong over the years despite calamities and damages, serving as windows to the past filled with our heroes’ victories and tragedies.

 

Visiting historical places helps us connect to our history and enlighten us about their significance. Promoting them also helps with their preservation, so they can keep standing their ground for more generations to come. 

 

So if you’re feeling nationalistic, or want to bring your friends or family on a fun educational adventure, here are historical places you should visit. 

 

6 Historical Places to Visit with Friends and Family

 

Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture these beautiful sights and a notebook to jot down the new knowledge you will acquire on these cultural trips.  

 

1. The Ruins - Talisay City

 

_{Photo: Lacson Ruins / The Ruins via Facebook}

 

Explore the ruins of an ancestral home built in 1920 by a wealthy sugar baron as a testament to his love for his wife after she has passed. It was razed and set aflame during World War II, and what remains now is an architectural wonder to behold; the ruins of a stately Italianate mansion and its neo-Romanesque columns.

 

The Ruins is situated in the borders of Talisay and Bacolod. You can also dine at a restaurant on site and stroll around the landscaped gardens. It’s best to visit during the dry season, and the site is open six days a week except on Mondays. 

 

Click here to book a trip to The Ruins today: https://invol.co/cljktkt

 

2. Palacio de Memoria - Parañaque City

 

_{Photo: Palacio de Memoria via Facebook}

 

If you have a particular love for the beauty of old Manila and antique collections, visit the historic Palacio de Memoria and discover the stories it’s keeping within its walls. The pre-war mansion dates back to the 1930s, and it’s now restored to its full glory open for visitors to have a tour inside. 

 

For tours and reservations, you can book an appointment here: https://invol.co/cljktkv

 

3. National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol

 

_{Photo: National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol via Facebook}

 

If it’s a weekend getaway you’re looking for, Bohol is a province that fits one’s tastes of fascinating landmarks and rich cultural heritage. The National Museum in Tagbilaran, Bohol, is a testament to the Spanish colonial period that holds dedicated sections showcasing diverse collections of Bohol’s history, culture, and art. Specifically, you will find intricate gold jewelry and ornaments from the pre-colonial period in the Boholano Goldsmithing Collection, and a wide range of artifacts related to the daily life and customs of the Boholano people in the Bohol Anthropology Collection. 

 

Afterward, you can explore many more of the tourist attractions Bohol offers. For tour packages, click here: https://invol.co/cljktl0

 

4. Museo de Intramuros - Intramuros

 

_{Photo: Museo de Intramuros: Preserving our collective memory via Philstar}

 

Manila is one of the oldest capitals in the Philippines and, therefore, overflowing with historical landmarks. Invite your friends with you to learn more about the country’s ecclesiastical heritage at Museo de Intramuros and the six various exhibits it holds. The museum pays homage to the country’s history of Catholic evangelization preserved in the collections of religious pieces, wooden carvings, and colonial art.

 

The site is open Tuesdays to Fridays and only accepts appointments. Click here to book a trip to the Museo de Intramuros today: https://invol.co/cljktl0

 

5. Baluarte de San Diego - Intramuros

 

_{Photo: Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila via The Queen’s Escape}

 

Intramuros is a large heritage site; after a few hours at Museo de Intramuros, you can then head over to Baluarte de San Diego, one of the oldest forts in Manila. You can find the popular spade-shaped bulwark, with a polished garden built around the fort. It’s like you go back in time as you enjoy a leisurely walk around the walkways, fountains, old cannons, and structures from the past century. 

 

You can visit Baluarte de San Diego any day of the week from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Click here to book a visit: https://invol.co/cljktl3

 

6. Fort Santiago - Intramuros

 

_{Photo: via Guide to the Philippines}

 

One of the oldest fortifications in Manila, Fort Santiago, has stood its ground from when it was first built in the 1500s. Over the years, it has been used as a military base and prison, survived damages, and restored again and again. You can find plenty of relics from the Spanish colonization to the Japanese occupation. 

 

It’s also where Jose Rizal was imprisoned and where his shrine was erected. A museum inside Fort Santiago displays our national hero’s memorabilia, including his life, books, artworks, and artifacts.

 

The site is open to the public every day from 8 AM to 11 PM, but you can skip the long line of visitors by booking tickets online here: https://invol.co/cljktl6

 

Why You Should Visit Historical Places

 

Most of our history, heritage, and art are preserved in these museums, cultural institutions, and historical places. We can find stories and styles of a particular era represented in these places as if they are frozen in time. Visiting such historical sites will allow us to reconnect with our past and learn more about our history. It’s the kind of trip that is sure to invigorate the mind and soul. 

 

Most of these places require a booking appointment, and you can look up the visiting schedule online. You can spend a few hours on your own for solace as you take in new knowledge and the beautiful sights around you, or go with your friends and family to refresh your mind.