Go on a guided or self-guided tour of Filipino heritage inside the Casa Manila Museum. This reproduction of a Spanish colonial mansion from the mid-19th century is filled with period ornaments, furniture and artwork. The building depicts how affluent families used to live under Spanish control.
Wander through the huge rooms that occupy the museum’s three floors. Go up the grand staircase to the top floor to what would have been a family’s living quarters. Look over the antique wooden furniture in the living room such as sofas, chairs and a grandfather clock. Other pieces include marble-topped tables and pedestals holding sculptures. The home contains a mixture of Chinese, European and locally made furniture.
Step into the kitchen with its period utensils, pots and pans, including 18th-century cooking molds and a charcoal oven. Observe the cistern that collected rain to keep the house supplied with water throughout the year. Stop by the dining room that’s dominated by the 18-seater dining table. Notice the punkah that hangs over it. This manually operated ceiling fan that would have cooled guests and kept the flies away from the table.
On the next floor down are the bedrooms and the office-library. Here, you’ll see the safe and treasure chest for keeping gold and silver coins. Step into the latrine. It was created so that two people could sit side by side and continue their conversations as they answered the call of nature. As you move round the house pay attention to the doors. You’ll see there are no hinges, a common practice of the era.
Conclude your visit in the courtyard, enjoying some meditative moments by the fountain.
Casa Manila Museum is located in Intramuros, easily reached by taxi and jeepney. If you are coming by train, get off at Central Terminal Station and take a jeepney ride from there.
The museum is open every day except Monday. There’s a small admission fee. Visitors are not permitted to take photographs inside the property.
