The St Augustine Museum is located in the old Manila neighbourhood of Intramuros. It is part of the Church of St Augustine, which in turn is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church, built between 1587 and 1604, is one of the oldest active churches in Manila.
The St Augustine Museum is shaped like a square with a huge courtyard. The building consists of two floors with 4 halls and corridors along the length of the building. It is worth noting that photography is not allowed inside the museum.
In the "Sala De La Capitulacion" hall, you can see ancient church artefacts and statues. It was in this room that the terms of surrender and the transfer of control of the Philippines from the Spanish to the Americans in the late 19th century. The museum's vestry contains statuettes and paintings made in the 17th century, including a a golden altar made in 1650. The crypt has an intricately crafted ceiling with Aztec frescoes.
Going up the ancient staircase of Chinese granite, you can find yourself in the St Paul's Hall, a smaller replica of the church and museum. In the St Paul's Hall, there are paintings and pictures of the church and museum. St Augustine's Hall displays paintings and photographs depicting the churches, built by Augustinian monks in the Philippines. The Porcelain Room houses a collection of Chinese porcelain. Next to the museum is Father Blanco's garden - he was a amateur botanist, studied plants, and his special passion was medicinal plants. In 1883, he even wrote and published a book titled "Flora of the Philippine Islands".
The St Augustine's Church and Museum today remain true preservers of the of the past, witnesses to the rich history of the Philippines and the fascinating culture of the of the Filipino people.
