Saturday, July 31, 2010

Public [Photo Hunt]


These are recycled photos of Plaza de Armas in Fort Santiago, the fort's main square.  This place is open to the public for a minimal fee of 75 pesos (approximately $1.65).   At the entrance of Plaza de Armas are the brass footsteps of  Dr. Jose Rizal, embedded on concrete.  These are his footsteps from his prison cell to Bagumbayan where he was executed by firing squad  and made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.  Dr. Rizal was imprisoned in this fort in 1896 during his court martial---he was later convicted on charges of rebellion, sedition and conspiracy against the Spanish government.

Across Plaza de Armas is the Rizal Shrine, a public museum built in honor of Rizal's heroism.  The shrine holds Dr. Rizal's books, memorabilia, manuscripts and artworks, his famous poem Mi Ultimo Adios and a piece of his vertebra.   A life-size statue of  the hero holding a book stands at the edge of Plaza de Armas.  This statue made me wonder what was his favorite book.:p

Plaza de Armas at dusk

Posted for Photo Hunt

34 comments:

CRIZ LAI said...

Wow! What a hero! :) I'm also curious about that book he was reading :P

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

MaR said...

Nice plaza and thanks for the short history lesson!
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marcia@joyismygoal said...

The tunnel shot is so nice crisp and inviting

marcia@joyismygoal said...

The tunnel shot is so nice crisp and inviting

journeyingjames said...

nagmahal na pala ang entrance ng plaza. i hope they can make this cheaper for students and free for researchers/writers.

LifeRamblings said...

nice shots. that looks like a wonderful plaza. happy weekend.

magiceye said...

beautiful takes on the theme!

Oman said...

isa talaga sa mga plano ko after i resigned from work and before i start a new one is to travel around manila as much as i can. sadly, halos wala pa ko na-aacomplish sa travel plans ko around the metro. i have to visit this one soon.

Lesley said...

I like the view in the first shot. Though, I will admit that the idea of following his footsteps and seeing 'one of his vertebrae' sounds a bit morbid to me.

Gemma Wiseman said...

An amazing, fascinating looking tunnel that must be wonderful to see! Great shots!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Great pictures. I really like the second one. And, I love the music...Ella I think. She was all that and more.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

oops...Billie Holiday.

Anonymous said...

beautiful shots! and a great public place.

Lorna said...

What I love about Photohunt is that there is always so much to learn.

Anonymous said...

We should remember our heroes. Good choice.

Carver said...

Beautiful place and an interesting post.

Annie said...

Very interesting! Thanks for the visit to this public place. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

The brass footsteps make you want to follow them. I wonder about the book, too.

Gattina said...

Beautiful pictures ! That's typical everywhere it's "public" but you have to pay, lol !

Sandra said...

Love your photos, and the history lesson was a bonus. Have a nice weekend.

Michelle-aneous Musings said...

Thanks for also sharing some history, not to mention for your kind words on my own pic! Have a great week! :-)

Marlene said...

It's been a long long time since I visited Fort Santiago. I remember I was scared when I saw the statue of Jose Rizal sitting as if he was writing. But this entrance I don't remember anymore. Nice take on the theme (public).

Baba said...

Hi Luna, a great looking fort open to the public..thanks for sharing it with us today.Baba

Julie Shaw said...

great photos

Anonymous said...

An fitting way to commemorate a national hero...


http://mudpuddle.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/photohunt-public/

Susanne said...

Love the history behind your pictures.

Susan Demeter said...

Beautiful photos! Happy photo hunting!

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

thanks for the history lesson, very interesting place and photo

jmb said...

Great photos for this theme. It looks like a lovely place to spend a while.

Happy weekend to you.

Kim, USA said...

Been there but it was a long time ago. Nice shot!
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Marites said...

i like the last photo..makes me feel nostalgic. happy weekend! My photohunt is here.

CherryPie said...

Both are lovely :-)

Heart of Rachel said...

Those footsteps are a great reminder of Jose Rizal's journey and sacrifices.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots for this week's theme!

Thanks for popping by on photo hunt Saturday!