Intramuros: A Tale of Resilience and Heritage in the Philippines
It is also known as the Walled City, and during the Spanish Colonial Period it was synonymous with the city of Manila. Intramuros was also
As a traveler and photographer, Manila Abbey San Beda presents a captivating narrative of history and spirituality. Nestled on Mendiola Street in Manila, this Benedictine men’s monastery, established in 1895 by Spanish monks during the waning days of Spanish colonial rule, stands as a harmonious blend of sanctuary and scholarly institution.
As a traveler and photographer, Manila Abbey San Beda presents a captivating narrative of history and spirituality. Nestled on Mendiola Street in Manila, this Benedictine men’s monastery, established in 1895 by Spanish monks during the waning days of Spanish colonial rule, stands as a harmonious blend of sanctuary and scholarly institution.
As a traveler and photographer, Manila Abbey San Beda presents a captivating narrative of history and spirituality. Nestled on Mendiola Street in Manila, this Benedictine men’s monastery, established in 1895 by Spanish monks during the waning days of Spanish colonial rule, stands as a harmonious blend of sanctuary and scholarly institution.
The Abbey, dedicated to Our Lady of Montserrat, exudes a tranquil spiritual aura while also housing an educational legacy within its serene confines.
Exploring this haven, the chapel emerges as a gem, showcasing an exquisite display of intricate beauty that envelops visitors in a truly serene atmosphere.
Delving into the origins, Manila Abbey’s story traces back to the 19th century when the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Barcelona set its sights on Manila. With eight choir monks and six laybrothers led by Dom José Deas y Villar, they embarked on a mission that led them to the Philippines on September 12, 1895.
However, the American occupation in the Philippines altered the Abbey’s trajectory, cutting off its financial support from Spain. Faced with dire financial straits, the monks boldly shifted focus to education.
Witnessing the transformation firsthand, San Beda College emerged in 1901, honoring the revered English Benedictine scholar and saint. It offered a comprehensive educational journey from elementary to university studies and gained accreditation and affiliation with the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas by 1906.
To accommodate the growing needs, the monks acquired land on Mendiola Street, entrusting pastoral care to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from the Netherlands in 1909.
Stepping into the Abbey’s expansive embrace unveils its rich history. Expansion efforts commenced in 1918, giving rise to the abbey church, finally consecrated on January 13, 1926, in honor of the Infant of Prague.
The architectural grandeur of the church, with its Neo-Gothic exterior and Neo-Baroque interior painted by Dom Lesmes López and Brother Salvador Alberich, reflects remarkable artistry and dedication. Intricate allegories and scenes of the Nativity of the Lord alongside Stations of the Cross adorn the walls.
A poignant addition in 2010, a mural envisioned by Rev Aelred Nilo and executed by Italian painter Francesco Giannini, graced the nave’s back wall. This mural breathes life into the congregation’s story, depicting the Resurrected Christ and other religious figures.
At Manila Abbey, where history meets beauty, tranquility echoes in every corner. The Abbey’s marker, installed in 1939 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, stands as a graceful reminder of its storied past—a past that is a testament to the beauty of the Philippines’ historical heritage.
RELATED STORIES
It is also known as the Walled City, and during the Spanish Colonial Period it was synonymous with the city of Manila. Intramuros was also
The city of Makati is a highly urbanized place in the country, making it the nation’s financial center. As a result, it has the highest
The Cultural Center of the Philippines or CCP was founded in 1966 under the directive of former President Ferdinand Marcos, in order to reinforce and
In addition to being considered the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo Chinatown is also the center of trade and commerce in Manila City. In
I’m looking forward to the stories and images leaving a lasting positive impression on you, just as they have on me. Stay connected with us on social media for a weekly exploration of travel assignments and breathtaking visuals. Our focus is on championing local tourism, showcasing small businesses, and honoring the magnificence of the Philippines through the content we curate. Join us in spreading the word by clicking the ‘share’ buttons below. Your support means the world to us.
EXPLORE MORE about
The Binondo Church is a historic church in Manila, located in the District of Binondo, near the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz. It was previously called
The Padre Pio Chapel, also known as the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel, holds a special place in my heart as a photographer. It revealed
Known as the main post office of Manila and the head office of the Philippine Postal Corporation, the Manila Central Post Office is the main
Plaza Miranda is a public square bounded by Quezon Boulevard, Hidalgo Street and Evangelista Street in Quiapo, Manila. It is the plaza which fronts the
San Sebastian Church is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica located in Quiapo, Manila. It’s also known as Minor Basilica of San Sebastian or San Sebastian
The Bonifacio Monument, also called Bonifacio Monumento or Monumento, proudly stands in Caloocan City, Metro Manila. It is a powerful symbol created by the National
One of Quezon City’s main parks is the Quezon Memorial Circle, which is located in Quezon City and is surrounded by an elliptical road, making
UST, also known as the University of Santo Tomas, is a private Roman Catholic university located in Sampaloc, Manila. It was founded on 28 April
In addition to being considered the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo Chinatown is also the center of trade and commerce in Manila City. In
It is always a surprise for buildings, parks and houses to survive such wars as it is almost inevitable that everything will be brought down
The Polo Church, formally known as the San Diego de Alcala Church, resides in the Polo neighborhood of Valenzuela, Manila. This church has a captivating
As one of the oldest cemeteries in Manila, Campo Santo De La Loma, commonly referred to as the La Loma Cemetery, is one of the
The city of Makati is a highly urbanized place in the country, making it the nation’s financial center. As a result, it has the highest
I experienced the vibrant and colorful life of downtown in full. I took some time to appreciate the beauty of Santa Cruz Church and Plaza
Originally built in 1880, the Manila Cathedral is the current version of the longstanding Church of Manila. It is a masterpiece of architecture that was
Explore the vibrant tapestry of Manila through its four national museums, each a unique gem in the city’s cultural crown. These four distinguished establishments are
Located in the heart of the Taguig City, the Venice Grand Canal is a lifestyle mall development under the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Located inside the
Known as one of the most important baroque churches in the Philippines and as one of the only four baroque churches in the Philippines that
The San Agustin Museum is located adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Agustin Church. It is located in Intramuros—the walled city of Manila—and
Casa Manila is a living museum that features the lifestyle of a wealthy Filipino family living during the last years of the Spanish colonial period,
It is the home of the popular Asian elephant, Mali, as well as 90 other species. As well as being a landmark in Manila, the
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in the heart of Taguig City on the lands of Fort Bonifacio and serves as the largest grave
Located along Roxas Boulevard, Manila and adjacent to the century-old walled city of Intramuros, the Luneta National Park, or “Luneta” as many refer to it,
The Cultural Center of the Philippines or CCP was founded in 1966 under the directive of former President Ferdinand Marcos, in order to reinforce and
As the nation’s first ever world-class marine theme park, Manila Ocean Park is located in Ermita Manila, within the Philippines’ largest urban resort/aqua-themed hotel complex
The newly restored Jones Bridge is easily recognizable by its beautifully designed black lamp posts—the same ones that were there when the bridge was first
It is considered to be one of the world’s great harbors, the Manila Bay, and it serves as the Port of Manila, Philippines. Having once
It is also known as the Walled City, and during the Spanish Colonial Period it was synonymous with the city of Manila. Intramuros was also
BROWSE BY CATEGORIES