Casa Manila: A Museum of our Colonial Lifestyle

Casa Manila is one of the attractions and must-see in Intramuros because of its valuable souvenirs, and unfortunately for us, like any museum, taking photos of the important items inside are prohibited so we can only take photos of the external appearance and premises.  Like any building in the Intramuros complex,  the facade of Casa Manila is of colonial period style and design.  Most structures in Intramuros were destroyed during the second world war but were gradually restored beginning 1979.

The inspiration for the restoration of Casa Manila was a house located in Calle Jaboneros in San Nicolas which is located across the river.   The first floor of houses here are always rented out to shopkeepers so you will find  on the first floor of Casa Manila some shops where you can get souvenir items and other collectibles. The walls in the ground floor is made of adobe stones that were quarried from Bulacan and the upper level is constructed from Philippine hardwood.  

The upper floor is a replica of a home during the colonial period.  You will find here typical living rooms, bedrooms and a Filipino kitchen during the Spanish era.  Some things worth noting in each room in Casa Manila are the furniture, which are classically Spanish, the ancient apparatus (for lack of an appropriate word) used for ironing (which is really cool and energy-saving) and the ancient appliance that was used as refrigerator, but most probably it is an icebox.  At that time, people would import ice and buy them by big blocks and they put the ice in this appliance and voila they have cold water and drinks for as long as the ice has not melted.  

A prominent part of the entire design is the courtyard with a fountain which is a perfect romantic backdrop.  Imagine the different couples promenading and dancing in front of the fountain with their dreamy expressions!     No wonder Casa Manila is also a common venue for wedding videos.

Casa Manila is open daily, except Mondays from 9 AM to 6 PM
Call 527-4084 for inquiries regarding entrance fees.