National Museum of Natural History, Manila

National Museum of Natural History, Manila (must see)

The National Museum of Natural History in Manila is dedicated to showcasing the rich natural heritage of the country. Established under the auspices of the National Museum Act of 1998, it forms a part of a grand initiative to repurpose three significant civic buildings within Rizal Park into cultural repositories. The initiative saw the Finance Building being the first to transform the National Museum of Anthropology in 1998, followed by the Legislative Building's conversion into the National Museum of Fine Arts in 2000. The Tourism Building's metamorphosis into the National Museum of Natural History marked the culmination of this visionary project.

Preparations for the National Museum of Natural History building began in 2013, led by the National Museum of the Philippines. Five architects were invited to submit proposals for its retrofitting. Dominic Galicia Architects, with interior design by Tina Periquet, were chosen for the project. Their design meticulously preserved the building's historical facade while incorporating an innovative glass dome supported by a double helix structure. The museum opened its doors to the public on May 18, 2018.

The National Museum of Natural History features 12 permanent exhibition spaces showcasing the diverse biology and geology of the Philippines. These galleries display carefully arranged collections of plants, animals, and geological samples, illustrating the country's distinct natural heritage. At the heart of the museum stands a "Tree of Life" sculpture symbolizing the interconnectedness of the Philippines' various ecosystems, from its majestic mountains to its vibrant marine reefs.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Manila. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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National Museum of Natural History on Map

Sight Name: National Museum of Natural History
Sight Location: Manila, Philippines (See walking tours in Manila)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Manila, Philippines

Create Your Own Walk in Manila

Create Your Own Walk in Manila

Creating your own self-guided walk in Manila is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Manila Introduction Walking Tour

Manila Introduction Walking Tour

The capital of the Philippines, Manila was officially founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. However, an organized polity, called Maynila (meaning "where indigo is found" in Tagalog), existed on the site since as early as 1258.

The earliest human life in the area dates to 3000 BCE, but much of the existing constructions found around the city were created...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Manila’s long history results from its situation as a natural port in a huge bay. With the Spanish conquest of the Philippines in the 16th century, it became united, along with Mexico City and Madrid, into the first truly globalised trade system. Intramuros, Manila’s old walled Spanish town, stood for 350 years before World War II came, and still houses many of the historic buildings.

For a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

International surveys have repeatedly ranked Filipinos among the world’s most religious people. The archipelago’s colonization and evangelization by the Spanish, started in 1565, has left Manila with many shrines and churches sprawled around its streets, despite the destructions by wars and natural disasters. Some of these old churches are especially attractive due to their delicate mixture of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Traditional Markets

Traditional Markets

Traditional markets showcase a unique aspect of life in any city. The ones featured in this walk offer a glance into the authentic life and habits of Manila’s people and play a vital role in the Philippines' capital's economic and cultural landscape. Traditionally, local markets sell a broader range of products than regular shops can provide: from veggies and fruits to dried fish and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Manila Shopping: 20 Filipino Goods To Bring Home

Manila Shopping: 20 Filipino Goods To Bring Home

An archipelago of 7,000+ islands, The Philippines is a diverse nation populated by different tribes, each having their own culture and traditions. In Manila, one can find a whole lot of things worth keeping as a Filipino memento; it just might take one a little while to figure out what's best...