Palacio del Gobernador (Manila)

Philippines / National Capital Region / Manila
 palace, residence, place with historical importance, presidential palace, commercial building
The first official residence of the Spanish Governor General or Palacio Real was located near Fort Santiago. Governor General Diego Fajardo moved to a house where the Palacio de Gobernador Condominium presently stands. The owner of the house was former member of the Real Audencia (Supreme Court) Manuel Estacio de Venegas. The Venegas house became the Governor-General’s residence until it was destroyed by the 1863 earthquake. The Governor General moved to Colegio de Santa Potenciana while repair are being made to the building. Construction was stopped when a summer residence in San Miguel (Malacanang) was favored as the new official residence of the Governor General.

The ruins was made into a plaza and bomb shelters during the American Period.

After the 1945 Battle of Manila, American soldiers found several dead bodies in the bomb shelters. The story goes that during the last days of the war, Japanese soldiers herded 140 men including some priests from San Agustin Church to the ruins of the Palacio. They were crowded in the bomb shelters. Grenades were lobbied into the chambers. Only eight men survived to recount the holocaust.

In this building

  1. Land Bank of the Philippines
  2. Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
 Add place (company, shop, etc.) to this building
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   14°35'29"N   120°58'20"E

Comments

  • The official residence of the Governor-General was moved to Malacanang Palace after the earthquake
  • Start the 1945 Battle of Manila, combined Filipino and American soldiers found several dead bodies in the bomb shelters in the ruins at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros. The story goes that during the last days of the war, Japanese soldiers herded 140 men including some priests from San Agustin Church to the ruins of the Palacio. They were crowded in the bomb shelters. Grenades were lobbied into the chambers. Only eight men survived to recount the holocaust.
This article was last modified 8 years ago