Attraction
Fort Santiago
The stone citadel at the mouth of the Pasig River, begun by the Spanish in the 1590s, where José Rizal was held before his execution in…
Rizal Park
Manila's 58-hectare bayside park, also known as Luneta, where José Rizal was executed in 1896 and where his monument stands under a ceremonial guard.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic urban park
- Area
- Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Good to know
- Free entry
- Rizal Monument
- Chinese and Japanese gardens
- Orchidarium
- Dancing fountain
Why we recommend it
Rizal Park, still widely called Luneta, is the large green space between Intramuros and Manila Bay and one of the most historic places in the country. The area was once Bagumbayan, a settlement outside the city walls, and in the Spanish period it was a place of public executions. The priests known as Gomburza were executed here in 1872, and on 30 December 1896 the writer José Rizal was shot here, an event that helped to galvanise the Philippine Revolution. The park took his name in 1967 and covers about 58 hectares.
The Rizal Monument, designed by the Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling and unveiled on 30 December 1913, holds Rizal's remains and carries his farewell poem, Mi último adiós, on a plaque. It is guarded around the clock by ceremonial soldiers of the Philippine Marine Corps. North of the monument, a diorama marks the actual spot of the execution.
Beyond the monument, the park is a collection of smaller spaces. There are formal Chinese and Japanese gardens, an Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, a musical dancing fountain built in 1968, an open-air auditorium, the Independence Flagpole and the Kilometre Zero marker. At the bay end, the Quirino Grandstand is used for presidential inaugurations and large public events.
The park is free and open to all, and it is busiest in the late afternoon and at weekends, when families come to picnic, jog and watch the sunset over the bay. Mornings are the most comfortable time for walking, before the sun is high. Shade is limited on the open lawns, so bring a hat and water, and expect some sections to be fenced off during events.
Three of the country's main museums sit on the eastern edge of the park: the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology and the National Museum of Natural History, all free to enter. Intramuros is directly to the north. That makes the park an easy place to spend a whole day, moving between gardens, museums and the walled city, and it works well for families, joggers and anyone wanting to understand the story of the modern Philippines.
Rizal Park FAQs
Is Rizal Park free?
Yes, the park is free to enter.
Why is it called Rizal Park?
José Rizal was executed here on 30 December 1896, and the park was named after him in 1967.
Who designed the Rizal Monument?
The Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling. It was unveiled on 30 December 1913 and holds Rizal's remains.
Who guards the monument?
Ceremonial soldiers of the Philippine Marine Corps guard it continuously.
How big is the park?
About 58 hectares.
What else is in the park?
Chinese and Japanese gardens, an Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavilion, a dancing fountain and Kilometre Zero.
When is the best time to go?
Mornings are coolest. Late afternoons bring sunset views over Manila Bay.
Which museums are nearby?
The National Museums of Fine Arts, Anthropology and Natural History are on the park's eastern edge.