5 Must-Visit Cultural Landmarks in Makati City, Philippines

Aside from the wealth and glamor of Makati, this city also boasts an affluent heritage as it is home to several cultural and historical landmarks. Read on and discover 5 remarkable places that might capture your interest.

Makati City is known as the Philippines' economic center where prime business firms, first-class malls, and upscale hotels, like the Makati Diamond Residences, thrive. Being one of the busiest districts in the metro, it acquired the name "Wall Street of the Philippines”. But aside from the wealth and glamor of this city, Makati also boasts an affluent heritage as it is home to several cultural and historical landmarks. Read on and discover 5 remarkable places that might capture your interest.

1. Santuario de Guadalupe
Considered as the oldest historic landmark in the city, this iconic church in Guadalupe Viejo was transformed into an art and history museum. It houses an impressive collection of Mexican baroque artworks and carved images of New Mexico patron saints. Jose de Alzibar's “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, which is regarded as the largest oil painting of the Spanish Southwest, is one of the treasured masterpieces of this museum.

2. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church
This 400-year-old church is known for its intricate design that is reminiscent of late Spanish Renaissance and early Baroque architectures. The main entrance of the edifice has the typical rose window and simple Doric columns. But as you step inside this glorious structure, you'll notice that its interior shows Romanesque embellishments. Because of this superb aesthetics, the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church has become a favorite wedding venue in the metro.

3. Museo ng Makati
Located at J. P. Rizal St. in Poblacion, just a short drive from Diamond Residences Makati, this museum was actually the original town hall of the city. It was completely restored in 1992 as the repository of Makati's heritage and culture. This community museum houses anthropological artifacts, which include fossil remains of per-historic animals and earthenwares. One who's interested about the yesteryear of the city will appreciate the collection of rare photographs and murals displayed in this museum.

4. The Philippine Army Museum
This landmark comprehensively tells the story of the Philippine Army from 1898 up to the present. It exhibits various episodes of the army's evolution, photographs of revolutionary heroes, and a collection of AFP medals and weaponry. The museum's special feature, which entices a lot of visitors, is a tunnel with several arteries leading to different exits.

5. Ayala Museum
Regarded as a valuable private institution of art and culture, this museum showcases Philippine fine arts and iconography. It displays 60 handcrafted dioramas that chronicle the rich tapestry of the nation's history and a collection of water crafts' miniatures to show the development of Philippine maritime trade and economy. The Ayala Museum is one of the most accessible place of interests in the city for it is close to Makati Diamond Residences and other hotels in Makati.