National Monument of Dr. Jose Rizal

Located at the western end of Rizal Park is the Rizal Monument which contains the mortal remains of Dr José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, who was executed near here by the Spanish colonial authorities on December 30, 1896. The Rizal Monument is safeguarded 24 hours a day, by honor guard sentries standing stiffly at attention. A 31-meter flagpole soars high over the monument. On one area of the Rizal Monument is a marble plaque marking the exact spot where the hero met his death by firing squad. Around are a plaque with the words of Rizal's final poem, Mi ultimo adios/My last farewell and a stone fountain from Ulm, Germany, where Rizal studied as a student.

History

 

Rizal Park's history began in the early 18th century during the Spanish imperative. Luneta, alternately called Bagumbayan or in English new town was an very old Tagal town set upon marshy land and located 1.5 kilometer south of Manila. Bagumbayan Park elegantly hosted flirtations among Manila elite as well as callousedly witnessed the deaths of the disloyal citizenry. The Spanish Luneta was rectangular  one hundred meters wide and 300 meters long  with semi ends and a fine, broad carriage drive called La Calzada were Manilas elite would meet after vespers to enjoy the bracing evening air. In September 1901, the Philippine Assembly Act No. 243 "granting the right to use public land upon the Luneta in the City of Manila" and upon which "a monument shall be erected to Jose Rizal, the Philippine patriot, writer and poet". In 1961, a plan to modernize Rizal Park resulted in a stainless steel pylon being superimposed over the granite obelisk of the Rizal Monument, increasing the structure's height to 30.5 meters. Rizal Park's history began in the early 18th century during the Spanish rule. Luneta, alternately called Bagumbayan (in  Tagalog new town") was an ancient Tagal town set upon marshy land and located 1.5 kilometer south of Manila. The name was later change to Luneta, which in Spain means a detached, crescent-shaped fort.

Credits to Senen Canale For the Photo