The Intramuros Administration says that they refurbished the park in 1980. I think it's about time that they reconditioned the bronze statue again.
January 29, 2010
A Spaniard in a Roman plaza in Manila
In front of the Manila Cathedral is a small park with a fountain and a bronze statue. During the Spanish colonial period, the open space was called the Plaza Mayor and was the site of bull fights and other public events. In 1797, the Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines Rafael Maria de Aguilar y Ponce de Leon turned it into a garden. The bronze statue of Carlos IV, king of Spain from 1788 to 1808, was installed in 1824 as a tribute for his sending the first smallpox vaccine to the Philippines. During the American period, the park was named Plaza McKinley after William McKinley, who was then the president of the United States. Since 1960, it has been called Plaza Roma because of a reciprocal agreement between the Philippine government and the Vatican (there's supposed to be a Piazza Manila somewhere in Rome).
The Intramuros Administration says that they refurbished the park in 1980. I think it's about time that they reconditioned the bronze statue again.
The Intramuros Administration says that they refurbished the park in 1980. I think it's about time that they reconditioned the bronze statue again.
Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteAnother incredibly interesting post...the Philippine people have certainly had a lot of foreigners telling them what to do and arranging their lives for them.
ReplyDeleteDo you not think there's a Piazza Manila in Rome?
I agree about fixing up the statue. A grubby statue might make people think that no one really cares...
«Louis» loves these little history lessons you post, Hilda!
ReplyDeleteI like them just as they are. Thats a nice looking space.
ReplyDeleteThese are some really beautiful and amazing shots !! Simply fantastic post HIlda !!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much history where you live, and so many directions it comes from. I do have to agree with cleaning up this statue though. It needs it.
ReplyDeleteHilda the top shot is very European and could be somewhere in Italy. Its nice to see the Philippines value their colonial history.
ReplyDeletebelle composition avec cette statue et la fontaine, superbe
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting post! Even me as a Filipino doesn't know about that park. This is another historical backgroud I supposed many Filipinoes living outside Manila does'n know. Thanks Hilda!
ReplyDeleteThat's one confused statue. Very similar to a multi-national corporation, I guess -:)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I agree that it needs a facelift.
ReplyDeleteDear Hilda, thanks so much,this post is really interesting and I'm enchanted by your talent to write and your style!
ReplyDeleteThat second shot is excellent!
Have a wonderful Friday!
God bless you
Léia
Piazzale Manila does exist in Roma and there, in a small park, there is a surprise for you: a bust of José Rizal.
ReplyDeleteNice shot and an interesting history lesson.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading the history behind your posts Hilda! It's fascinating. The statue could use some reconditioning, but it's still beautiful.
ReplyDeletevery regal
ReplyDeleteSo that's how it works. Like the idea of twin cities.
ReplyDeleteAnd VP even found the place in Rome.
Interesting how the names change often in your park.
a real beautiful shot is not just showing what is beautiful but also the flaws.. the bulb in the lamp is... ohhh.. manila is superb when it comes into architecture... modern yet old
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