The National Museum of Natural History, which houses the country’s rich flora and fauna, finally opened its doors to the public on International Museum Day.
The glass-domed museum, hosted by the former Department of Tourism building within the Rizal Park, houses 10 galleries about plants, animals, and fungi that can only be found in the Philippines.
The National Museum of Natural History, which completes the National Museum Complex, is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The National Museum of Natural History, which completes the National Museum Complex, is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
See what's inside:
The National Museum of Natural History houses 12 permanent galleries that exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines. It includes creatively curated displays of botanical, zoological, and geological specimens that represent our unique natural history. Situated at the center of the museum is a “Tree of Life” structure that proudly connects all the unique ecosystems in the Philippines, from our magnificent mountain ridges to the outstanding marine reefs.
A BIT OF HISTORY
The building was constructed as the Agriculture and Commerce Building in 1940. It is designed in neoclassical style by Filipino Architect Antonio Toledo in the late 1930, having the same dimension and floor plan as its twin building located at the northern side of the circle, the Finance Building.
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| Old building of Philippine National Museum |
Similar with the Department of Finance Building, a grand stairway as broad as the concave northwest façade of the Department of Agriculture Building serves as the main access rising up to the columned portico on the second floor level. The portico features six fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. Four arched openings are distributed alternately with rectangular windows in the seven bays of the northeast entrance wall.
The façades are articulated with giant Corinthian columns and pilasters rising from the second floor level to the height of the three stories of the building, with the first story resembling the one-story high plinth where these columns and pilasters rest. Decorative entablatures are supported by the columns and pilasters surrounding the entire wall. Incised masonry joint pattern articulates the exterior walls to provide a sense of scale. Rhythmic fenestrations such as arched windows on the second story, and rectangular windows on the rest, are all decorated with ornate grillework. Pairs of giant Corinthian columns framing a two-story high arched window reinforce the corners of the building.
The Department of Agriculture and Commerce building was among the government buildings reconstructed in 1949, under the government’s post-war rehabilitation work program. In February 1945 the American forces bombarded the building with heavy artillery fire (from February 25 until February 28), concentrated on the ground floor until the lower sections have been pulverized and the upper sections settled on the ground.
Symmetrical with the Department of Finance Building, the five-story Department of Agriculture and Commerce Building has an odd trapezium plan with a chamfer at its southeast obtuse vertex and a concave side on its northwest fronting the rotonda. A ground level approach on a driveway protected by a three-arched porte cochere serves as the entrance at the chamfered southeast corner of the building. Halls and rooms are orthogonally arranged around the central courtyard of the same trapezium shape. A modest pediment accentuates the chamfered corner entrance.
Keeping its historical value, the building reconstruction using the adaptive reuse architecture or the restoration of an old building to convert it into a space for something other than its original purpose commenced in 2013. What used to be a building occupied by the Department of Tourism is now home to displays of diverse botanical, zoological, and geological collections of the country.
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| Tree of Life |
As the present National Museum of Natural History, the recent new additions on the east and west of the original building footprint, and on top of the original building height, serve as the museum building’s facilities, offices and public spaces. The metal-framed glass dome known as the “Tree of Life” now covers the central courtyard. The open spaces southeast of the building serve as a visual corridor where one can enjoy the perspectives of the surrounding urban spaces and the other neo-classical buildings.
Prior to its public opening, on June 28, 2016, the National Museum of Natural History was initially launched through the ceremonial turnover of the Tree of Life, which was unveiled by President Benigno Aquino III through his cabinet secretaries as representatives. On May 18, 2018, highlighting the International Museum Day celebration, the long time coming National Museum Complex was finally realized through the public opening of the National Museum of Natural History. It has the concept of presenting its collections from the mountain to the sea, which are exhibited through interactive displays, video guides, diagrams, and illustrations integrated to zoological, botanical, and geological specimens on display at the 12 galleries and its halls. Today, it has been one of the most visited educational tourist destinations in Metro Manila.
HOW TO GET TO NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
See the maps below:National Museum of Natural History
Address: Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday ONLY 10am-5pm
OTHER MUSEUMS TO SEE IN THE PHILIPPINES
- THE DESSERT MUSEUM: 8 Themed Rooms to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
- PINTO ART MUSEUM: Your Door to Philippine Contemporary Art (with Schedule and Entrance Fee)
- THE PUZZLE MANSION: Guide to the Largest Jigsaw Puzzle Collection in the World
- BINANGONAN: ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360° (how to get there, entrance fee, menu, operating hours)
- TALES OF ILLUMINA: Interactive Way of Learning Philippine Folklore (What to See Inside + Fun Activities)
- UPSIDE DOWN MUSEUM: What to see inside this attraction in Pasay (Entrance Fee & Guide)
- THE DESSERT MUSEUM: 8 Themed Rooms to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
- PINTO ART MUSEUM: Your Door to Philippine Contemporary Art (with Schedule and Entrance Fee)
- THE PUZZLE MANSION: Guide to the Largest Jigsaw Puzzle Collection in the World
- BINANGONAN: ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360° (how to get there, entrance fee, menu, operating hours)
- TALES OF ILLUMINA: Interactive Way of Learning Philippine Folklore (What to See Inside + Fun Activities)
- UPSIDE DOWN MUSEUM: What to see inside this attraction in Pasay (Entrance Fee & Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why is the National Museum of Natural History important?
Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. - What can you see in National Museum of Natural History?
Here are the top attractions to see inside the museum: - Tree of Life.
- Second Floor: Lolong.
- Gallery VI: Rainforest Diorama.
- Gallery IX: Mangrove Diorama.
- Gallery X: The Marine Realm.
- What are the four National Museum of the Philippines?
The National Museum operates the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History, all located in the National Museum Complex in Manila. - How can I go to Philippine National Museum?
Go to reservation.nationalmuseum.gov.ph to schedule at least a day before your intended visit. You can book for a solo trip or a group trip with a maximum of four companions for an AM (9-12) or PM (1-4) session. - Can I wear shorts in National Museum?
There's no dress code. You can wear shorts and sneakers.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN MANILA
- Be amazed and have fun at Manila Ocean Park Attraction (up to 8 attractions)
- Enjoy the sweet experience at The Dessert Museum Manila (plus a discounted Entrance Pass)
- Let's travel around the Philippines at Lakbay Museo (plus a discounted Entrance Pass)
- Fill your IG-feed with Selfielicious in Manila (discounted Entrance Pass)
- Okada Manila Sunset Experience with Dinner Buffet
- SM by the Bay Amusement Park Ride-All-You-Can Day Pass
- Intramuros Bambike Tour
- Old Manila Full Day Tour
- Binondo Food Crawl
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AND TOUR IN MANILA
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