Description of the attraction
Park Paco is located on an area of 4 thousand square meters. in the eponymous area of Manila along General Luna Street and Padre Faura Street. Once upon a time there was a large municipal cemetery on this territory, where the wealthy and influential Spaniards who lived in the ancient Intramuros region were buried. In 1822, victims of a cholera epidemic that swept through the city were also buried here. The cemetery had the shape of a circle, inside which there was a ring fortification with niches - in them the remains of the dead were placed. As the population grew, a second outer wall with niches was built, and the tops of these walls were turned into walking paths. On the territory of the cemetery, a Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to Saint Pakratios was also built. In 1896, the national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal, was buried here, who was executed in Bagumbayan.
In 1912, burials on the territory of the cemetery were discontinued. Many descendants of those who were buried here transferred the remains of their relatives to other cemeteries. During World War II, the Japanese occupying Manila used the area as an ammunition depot. The high walls of adobe bricks were ideal shelters for them. Before the legendary Battle of Manila in 1945, the Japanese dug several trenches here and erected closed firing positions in which 75mm guns were installed to protect the fortifications.
In 1966, during the reign of President Diosdado Macapagala, the area was turned into a national park. Gradually, the park "erased" the traces of the war years and became more and more beautiful and magnificent - today it is one of the favorite places of the inhabitants of Manila. Here you can always meet couples in love looking for solitude on park benches and gazebos. Moreover, the former cemetery has become a popular venue for weddings and other celebrations. On Fridays, the park hosts the Parko Presents music show, featuring local and guest bands and choral ensembles performing classical and traditional Filipino music.
