The Rizal Park is a popular tourist destination of Manila City that is ideally located at the northern end of Roxas Boulevard. It is 500 meters long and 250 meters wide. This park lies next to Intramuros. It overlooks the famous Manila Bay. This park was previously known by the names of Luneta and Bagumbayan. It has beautiful gardens, fountains, a grand stadium, plazas, an open-air concert hall, an observatory, a light-and-sound theatre, an artists' sanctuary and restaurants.
The Rizal Park of Manila City was built to pay a tribute to the national hero, Jose Rizal. He was a novelist and doctor, who was shot by the firing squad on 30th December, 1896 at this place. He was executed on account of initiating a rebellion against the Spanish government. The Philippine Independence from American rule was declared over here on 4th June, 1946. This has also been the site for 1986 political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino.
Right in the center of the Manila Rizal Park stands the bronze monument of Rizal that was built in 1913. One can see the Army Navy Club, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Plaza and the Gallery of National Heroes from the Rizal monument. This bronze monument is also the point of origin or 'Kilometer Zero' to other cities of Philippines. There is a 24 hours guard on site. The Spanish
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version of the poem 'Mi Ultimo Adios' written by Rizal is engraved behind the monument. The park has three sections, which are:
- 16-hectare Agrifina Circle
- 22-hectare park extending to Roxas Boulevard
- 10-hectare open field facing Quirino Grandstand along the Manila Bay
An open-air theater presentation takes place in the northern side of the park known as 'Lights and Sounds of Rizal'. Through a 30 minutes light and sound show, the last hours of Rizal's execution is demonstrated. This takes place from Wednesday to Sunday at evening hours. The Tagalog version is shown from 7 pm to 7:30 pm and the English version is shown from 8 pm to 8:30 pm. The entry fee is P50.00 for general public. A 50% discount is provided to students with valid IDs, escorts (parents/guardian). On Saturdays from 5 pm to 6 pm, a special ballet presentation is conducted by the National Parks Development Committee and Ballet Manila.
For further information one can contact at:
- Rizal Park, Manila City
Phone: +63 2 526 2394
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