Casa Manila, Manila (2024) - Images, Timings

Casa Manila , Manila Overview

Casa Manila is a stately museum situated on General Luna Street within the walled city of Intramuros. Constructed in 1980 by Imelda Marcos, the regal building boasts Spanish colonial architecture. It is designed to replicate the 1850s San Nicolas House that once existed in Calle Jaboneros and depicts the colonial lifestyle of the Filipinos during the Spanish colonization of the state.

The three-storeyed building has several huge rooms named sala, despacho, comedor, cuartos, cocina, baño etc., adorned with period furniture and antique furnishings to give the authentic look and feel of a 19th-century mansion. The place boasts spacious hallways, huge archways, and beautiful fountains. The furniture occupying the place is believed to have been exported from Chinese and European countries. Except for the kitchen, toilet, and bathroom, the guests are allowed to only walk on the red carpet and are not allowed to touch the displays. Photography is prohibited. There is also a souvenir shop outside where you can buy knick-knacks and a cafe where you can get refreshments.

Tour into the Casa Manilla

Casa Manila has been built to portray an affluent mansion of the 19th-century merchant.

Ground Floor

Puerta Principal is the main entry gate made in heavy wood which gives a sturdy look.
The main gate opens onto a spacious Zaguan which through which carriages used to pass to get to the patio.
The Patio was the source of sunlight and night air. Boasting of a granite pavement, the place also has a fountain and is sprinkled with hanging flowering plants.
Caballariza is stable on the ground floor which housed the owner’s carriage. Owning a horse carriage was a symbol of social status in those days. Bigger the carriage, the more the number of horses and hence higher social status.

First Floor

The highlight of the first floor is the Oficina or Biblioteca which is the Office or the Library. It has a safe - caja de hiero, and a treasure chest - baul. This baul was used to store gold and silver coins.
The bedrooms on the first floor are known as Dormitorios. These bedrooms were used for sleeping at night and siestas during the day. They were occupied by elderly people like grandparents and unmarried aunts and uncles.

Second Floor

The first room on the Second Floor is called the Antesala or the Caida. This was the room where the family relaxed, have snacks and hang out (merienda) and play card games. The room has opulent furnishings and articles gracing the space which speaks of the wealth and grandeur of the inmates.
The next room is the Living Room called the Sala which boasts of narra hardwood floors, and shell windows with wooden blinds or louvers. It also has musical instruments and antique furniture.
The Prayer Room is called Oratorio meant for the family’s Catholic devotion.
Across the Oratorio are several Dormitorios which are meant for the husband, wife and children.
And at the end of the room, across the Antesala is the Comedor which is the Dining Room for the families. This room has a large table in the centre with royal silverware and glassware and regal utensils spread around.
Next to the Dining Room is the Cocina which is the Kitchen. The kitchen has a cistern which collects the rainwater. It also has a dishwasher and icebox.
From the kitchen is an outlet that leads to the Azotea i.e. the Roof. The roof was used to dress chickens and wash laundry.
The last room of the floor is Letrina i.e. the toilet or latrine.