Casa Manila | Manila

Information

Landmark: Casa Manila
City: Manila
Country: Philippines
Continent: Asia

Casa Manila, Manila, Philippines, Asia

Casa Manila is a museum located within the Plaza San Luis Complex in Intramuros, Manila. It is a faithful reconstruction of a 19th-century Spanish colonial mansion, designed to showcase the lifestyle of the Filipino ilustrado (upper class) during the late Spanish period.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is a three-story structure built in the Bahay na Bato (House of Stone) style. The ground floor is constructed of heavy volcanic tuff (piédra china), while the upper floors are made of indigenous hardwoods. It features a central courtyard with a fountain, wide balconies (voladas) with Capiz shell windows, and grand internal staircases. The interiors are filled with authentic period furniture, crystal chandeliers, and religious icons.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila.

Access: Located directly across from San Agustin Church.

Transport: Accessible via the LRT-1 (Central Terminal Station). It is situated on the main tourist thoroughfare of Intramuros and is easily reached by foot, pedicab, or horse-drawn carriage (kalesa).

Entry: A nominal entrance fee is required. Visitors must follow a specific one-way path through the rooms to preserve the floorings and artifacts.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in the 1980s, the building is a replica based on an 1850s house that originally stood in Binondo. It was constructed using authentic materials and traditional methods to serve as a living museum of colonial domestic architecture. Historically, it represents the fusion of Spanish, Chinese, and native Filipino design influences adapted to a tropical climate.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Courtyard: A picturesque open-air space with a working fountain, stone arches, and lush plants.

The Dining Room (Comedor): Features an expansive table and a punka (a large manual ceiling fan operated by a servant from the corner).

The Kitchen (Cocina): Displays traditional 19th-century cooking implements, including a stone stove and an icebox.

The Master Bedroom (Cuarto Principal): Showcases an ornate four-poster bed made of narra wood and antique vanity tables.

The Library (Antesala): Contains vintage books and writing desks typical of a high-society home.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The complex surrounding the museum includes several boutique shops, the Barbara's Heritage Restaurant, and public restrooms located within the Plaza San Luis area. While the museum itself is not air-conditioned (to preserve the historical atmosphere), the thick stone walls and wide windows provide natural ventilation. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the house but is permitted in the courtyard.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Closed on Mondays). Arriving right at opening time allows for a more private experience of the narrow hallways. It is particularly scenic during the late afternoon when the sun hits the courtyard.

Facts & Legends

The house is designed to be an "ideal" representation of a wealthy home; in reality, very few colonial houses were as perfectly appointed as Casa Manila. A common observation by visitors is the latrina (toilet), which features two seats side-by-side-a historical design that reflects a different cultural attitude toward privacy in the 1800s.