Cityscapes #2: Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines

Rizal Park is situated in the heart of the city of Manila, Philippines. It is at the northern end of Roxas Boulevard, overlooking Manila Bay.



Rizal Monument, Rizal Park, Manila

Rizal Park's history began in the early 1700s during the Spanish rule. While Manila's social and business activities were confined within Intramuros, a small area just south of the walls was cleared to prevent sneak attacks from the patriotic natives. The area was shaped like a small moon (lunette) and thus was named Luneta. The Park was also called Bagumbayan (English: New Town) in Spanish colonial era, and later known as Luneta.

Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in Philippine history . Among them are the execution of José Rizal on December 30, 1896, whose martyred death made him a hero of the Philippine Revolution. (It was officially renamed Rizal Park in tribute to him.); the Declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule on June 4, 1946; and the political rallies of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986.



The monument also serves as the point of origin or Kilometre Zero to all other cities in the Philippines.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizal_Park

Strolling Rizal Park