Makati is the financial hub of the Philippines and is one of seventeen cities that comprise the Metro Manila region. Although the cosmopolitan city is usually billed as a concrete jungle filled with tall buildings, it is also home to some amazing historical and cultural attractions. The Guadalupe Ruins are one of Makati’s major landmarks and all tourists should consider visiting them. The ruins are all that remains of the country’s oldest churches and are still considered as national cultural assets. The ruins are like a time capsule which takes one on a journey all the way back to the seventeenth century. Together they represent over four hundred years of hope and conflict and still bear immense significance for citizens even today.
The oldest landmark in Makati is the imposing Santuario de Guadalupe, which is thought to have been constructed in 1629. Although the church has been ravaged by time, it is still an impressive structure. Formerly called the Nuestra Senora de Gracia, which means ‘Our Lady of Grace’, the building is made out of stone removed from the now defunct Guadalupe quarry. Large buttresses form the cornerstone of the church’s Doric architecture. The church is not simply a place of worship but is also a symbol of the Spanish occupation of Philippines, and was used as a fortress during the war that ousted the Spanish army from the city.
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is another great place to visit. Built during the early part of the seventeenth century, the church offers a fascinating insight into the city’s past. History buffs should also try and visit the Ayala Museum, which is a repository of artefacts marking significant occasions in the country’s history, and the Philippine Army Museum and Library. There is also the American Cemetery and Memorial which commemorates the American lives lost here during the Second World War.
Manila serviced apartments, such as those offered by Ascott Makati, are the perfect solution to accommodation in the Philippines. Boasting a convenient location and offering different styles of apartment, one is sure to find a Manila apartment here to suit one’s needs.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
