September 17, 2010

The governor's gate

This small doorway through the thick walls of Intramuros is called the Puerta Postigo del Gobernador because it was near the Spanish Governor-General's palace. This is the door that Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal walked through when he was brought by Spanish soldiers from his jail in Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan where he was executed by firing squad in 1896. The little room where the guards of this doorway stayed was also where the young Manuel L. Quezon, who much later became the President of the Philippine Commonwealth, was incarcerated after he surrendered to the Americans in 1902.

Postigo del Gobernador in Intramuros

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Feels as if one is forced to bow, in respect of such a historic place and entry into time.

Please have you all a good Friday.

daily athens

Frank said...

I always love your history lessons professor. (I took your advice and have posted at Tampa Daily and Tampa Florida Photo after 7-8 months. Wow it felt good just adding a photo after so-o-o long.I'm rusty but I'll get back in the rhythm.)

Halcyon said...

Such a beautiful structure.

PJ said...

All that history in one doorway, Hilda.

Randy said...

Great post Hilda. Love the photo.

gogouci said...

Definitely a fortified walkway. No way or place to escape to.

Olivier said...

merci pour l'histoire de ton pays, une porte importante dans l'histoire

VP said...

A quite serious gate, I see. I like fortresses, and this one seems to have some history behind...

Cezar and Léia said...

The wall is huge and it makes the gate looking small, great capture!
Very interesting place there!
Hugs
and happy weekend
Léia

James Mark said...

What a contrast to many of your recent posts; this could be Edinburgh, Berwick, Durham or many other fortified locations in the UK and Europe! You bring these places to life with the brief historical references, sad as some of them are.

Al said...

Fort Santiago is one of my favorite place in Manila, it is so full of memories of the yesteryears. And I like history, they say it's boring but for me it's interesting.

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Very interesting post as always.

I have been busy lately so I have not commented much. Have a nice weekend.

George said...

There is so much history represented by that doorway. Thanks for sharing the history and picture with us. I really do enjoy learning more of the history of the Philippines, especially when it is accompanied by great pictures.

Francisca said...

A small door with a big history. Fine photo, Hilda.

JTG (Misalyn) said...

Nice one. Thanks for educating us. Nare-remind ako sa history when I read posts like this. Sana lang i-consider ng government ang restoration ng mga historical places sa Pinas or kahit pagandahin man lang.

Dina said...

Lots of heavy history here.