Aguinaldo Shrine
Aguinaldo Shrine
4.5
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Dubbed as the House of History, the Aguinaldo Mansion is the locus of a focal point in the unfolding of Philippine history. Constructed in 1845, the original structure of the house was of nipa-and-thatch material. It was reconstructed four years later using a variety of Philippine hardwood. By the 1920s, major renovation saw the construction of the tower and the symbolic balcony of the house. It was also during this period that the house was refurbished with architectural details of nationalistic themes, masonic symbols, and art nouveau and art deco’s artistic style prevalent during the early 20th century. The house where the president lived was donated to the Filipino people in 1963, a year before he passed away. In 1964, the house was placed under the care of the National Museum of the Philippines and was declared a national shrine through Republic Act No 4039. By 1972, Executive Order No 370 transferred the shrine under the care and maintenance of the National Historical Commission
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Neo Formz
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines525 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Dropping by at the country's National Shrine. I love the laid-back lifestyle in Kawit Cavite plus the authentic provincial vibe. Perfect for recharging!
Written December 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelito P
Muntinlupa, Philippines479 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
I went there once. I went back to show it to friends.
The Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines is one-of-a-kind. It is a mansion made of wood and concrete, and was the home of the first President of the Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo, I have always described the mansion as a military tactician's house. If it were built in modern times, one might say James Bond must have lived here. There are escape routes - - - via a wall panel that leads to the ceiling and onto a boat on the river ready to take Aguinaldo to sea, and a stunning underground tunnel (not viewed) accessed by moving a very heavy dining table, where the general can escape via a tunnel that leads to the nearby church. And many more surprises that the guide Antolin Bolivar can tell you of.
There are much too many rooms on the many levels of the house. Try to get to the top level, the tower. The receiving halls are wide and well appointed. The ceiling has a map of the Philippines. I also loved how a "washing machine" was built in those days.
The place is historic, and top government officials lead in raising the Philippine flag from its balcony during Independence Day, for it was on this balcony that Philippine Independence was proclaimed.
While there have been many debates on Emilio Aguinaldo's hero title (rabid Andres Bonifacio believers think Aguinaldo did him in), one can set aside the politics in those days and learn a thing or two about architecture. And of the country's history.
The Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines is one-of-a-kind. It is a mansion made of wood and concrete, and was the home of the first President of the Philippine Republic, General Emilio Aguinaldo, I have always described the mansion as a military tactician's house. If it were built in modern times, one might say James Bond must have lived here. There are escape routes - - - via a wall panel that leads to the ceiling and onto a boat on the river ready to take Aguinaldo to sea, and a stunning underground tunnel (not viewed) accessed by moving a very heavy dining table, where the general can escape via a tunnel that leads to the nearby church. And many more surprises that the guide Antolin Bolivar can tell you of.
There are much too many rooms on the many levels of the house. Try to get to the top level, the tower. The receiving halls are wide and well appointed. The ceiling has a map of the Philippines. I also loved how a "washing machine" was built in those days.
The place is historic, and top government officials lead in raising the Philippine flag from its balcony during Independence Day, for it was on this balcony that Philippine Independence was proclaimed.
While there have been many debates on Emilio Aguinaldo's hero title (rabid Andres Bonifacio believers think Aguinaldo did him in), one can set aside the politics in those days and learn a thing or two about architecture. And of the country's history.
Written March 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kleomarlo
Malaybalay City, Philippines10 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
Me and my friends were just passing thru Kawit area when we decided to check out this shrine. We never thought that it would have an amazing time. This is the ancestral home of the first Filipino president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. This is the site of the first hoisting of the Philippine flag. They have a museum on the ground floor as well as displays of a number of memorabilia of the former president (including his vintage car). The museum is a journey to the Philippines past during our struggle for independence. The second floor is a tour inside the house--the daughter's rooms, secret passages (a number of them), innovative interior designs during that time, the amazing hardwood furnitures, etc.
All I can say is that it is worth a visit and it's FREE! No entrance fees, free tour guides inside the house, etc. If you are passing by the area, please take time to visit it and know our history.
All I can say is that it is worth a visit and it's FREE! No entrance fees, free tour guides inside the house, etc. If you are passing by the area, please take time to visit it and know our history.
Written September 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chie1230
San Juan, Philippines18 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
From baclaran, ride a mini bus with a sign CAVITE CITY. then ask the driver to drop you off at aguinaldo shrine in kawit, Cavite. No entrance fee (just a donation if you like for maintenance). in the Veranda was first displayed our Phil. Flag by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo last June 12, 1898. Visit day is Tuesday to Sunday 8:00a.m. to 4:00pm. (closed on Monday). More info. you can inquire to their office Tel.# 046-4847643.
Written July 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leesheeleeshee
Los Angeles, CA231 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
This is the home of the first Filipino President. It's a quaint home where history took place, Philippine Independence from Spain. Best to get here by private vehicle, parking is in the park. Admission is free and you can stay and look around for as long as you want. It's practically a self guided tour with posters of information but sometimes the curator/caretaker of the home is available and can show you around. Closed Mondays (i think) The home has pretty spacey rooms from the bedroom to the dining/living room areas and almost brings you back in time during the Revolution years. Furniture and decor seem original and impressive. Aguinaldo's remains are also here (back of house) and his car is also on display.
Then afterwards, head off towards the gift shop to purchase little trinkets and donate 100 pesos (about 2 dollars) to support the historical site, then grab some really excellent Bibingka at Lucy's Special Bibingka nearby made to order. Just ask around and the locals will point you the right direction (really short walking distance).
Then afterwards, head off towards the gift shop to purchase little trinkets and donate 100 pesos (about 2 dollars) to support the historical site, then grab some really excellent Bibingka at Lucy's Special Bibingka nearby made to order. Just ask around and the locals will point you the right direction (really short walking distance).
Written September 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelerako
Las Pinas, Philippines86 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
The former president's house was really historical inside and outside. It was so nostalgic because of the ambiance. We were excited that time to have a tour and as we entered inside, there were already stories in every thing you see. On the ground floor of the mansion is the museum where all of the memorabilia of our President was there, like his shoes, clothes, personal belongings, and things that became a part of Philippine History. Very informative. We also witnessed other parts of the mansion; every part portrayed what was the life of Pres. Aguinaldo as well as his family. We experienced the totality of the entire ancestral house from the bottom up to the watchtower. The view above was very scenic but only few can have the chance to get there, because of its narrow stairs and also, the caretaker's consent is a must. In a nutshell, I recommend you to visit this place for you to found out the stories behind our Philippine Independence and History. We enjoyed our tour there.
THERE'S NO ENTRANCE FEE.
THERE'S NO ENTRANCE FEE.
Written July 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geruel F
Australia25 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
Aguinaldo Shrine is located at Kawit, Cavite about 20mins drive from Pasay.
General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Philippines and I guess the very first national hero. We all loved visiting his home which is the full of history and the place itself is just amazing. I first visited this place when I was still in grade 1 and I don't think that the place have changed at all after all these time. Still an amazing place to visit and was very glad that I was able to take the family here to learn more about this great man of a hero and learn a lot more about the Philippines history over a hundred years ago.
General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Philippines and I guess the very first national hero. We all loved visiting his home which is the full of history and the place itself is just amazing. I first visited this place when I was still in grade 1 and I don't think that the place have changed at all after all these time. Still an amazing place to visit and was very glad that I was able to take the family here to learn more about this great man of a hero and learn a lot more about the Philippines history over a hundred years ago.
Written February 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
csaramir
Mandaue, Philippines738 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
The Aguinaldo Shrine is the national shrine located in the town of Kawit, Cavite where the independence of the Philippines from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898. I've seen this only in pictures several times and passed by this imposing building once when I went to the other parts of Cavite several years back. Now I had the chance of unlimited time to visit this historical place which turned out to be a time travel back to the 19th century. The Aguinaldo Mansion which covers 14,000 square feet in floor area, is the focus of the Shrine. It houses the Museum at the ground floor and a setting of an affluent Filipino home containing old furniture and nationalistic symbols at the second floor. One thing which amazes anyone would be the secret doors and hiding places which used to contain documents and weapons connected with the revolution against the Spanish authorities and the famous balcony where the flag of the Philippines was waved by General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the country. Other interesting features are the water heater, large medicine cabinet, bowling alley and swimming pool. Outside the mansion is the marble tomb of General Aguinaldo, lush greenery, a souvenir shop and Aguinaldo's car, a 1924 Packard limousine. Two more plus : its free admission and guided tour around the mansion
Written January 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MijnlieverdFH
Tagum City, Philippines4,142 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
The former ancestral house of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo now owned by the Philippines government since June 1963 when he donated this mansion few months before he died at 94.
Philippine independence from Spain was declared here on June 12 1898. The independence balcony is seen at the center where the Philippines flag was first hoisted. The special passages and the rooms were shown to public as the curator brought us around. But we were first asked to wait until another batch is finished. There is a museum at the ground floor and the garden behind where the marble tomb of the first Philippines President is interred.
This national landmark is worth a visit for those who seek knowledge about the Philippines history and to all Filipinos as well.
Philippine independence from Spain was declared here on June 12 1898. The independence balcony is seen at the center where the Philippines flag was first hoisted. The special passages and the rooms were shown to public as the curator brought us around. But we were first asked to wait until another batch is finished. There is a museum at the ground floor and the garden behind where the marble tomb of the first Philippines President is interred.
This national landmark is worth a visit for those who seek knowledge about the Philippines history and to all Filipinos as well.
Written May 27, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abeth_11
Valenzuela City17 contributions
Nov 2011
The ancestral house of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo where the Philippine independence was declared on June 12, 1898 is located in Kawit, Cavite. Built in 1845 by the forebears of the general and renovated in 1921 which Gen. Aguinaldo himself designed, the mansion is very impressive and well-maintained up to the present. In fact, while we were there, some parts of the house were closed due to ongoing renovation.
The memorabilia and almost all things used by the general are still intact, truly remarkable. His car is encased and parked in the garden while on the ground floor of the house is a bowling lane and there is also a small indoor pool. The ceilings, walls and cabinets are designed to look like the Philippine flag and other historical symbols of the country that show his love for country. There are secret passages in almost all corners of the house. This is undestandable because the general lived at a time when the country was still fighting for its independence.
The property was donated to the government a year before the general's death in 1964 with the request that his remains be buried in the grounds of said lot. Entrance is free and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
The memorabilia and almost all things used by the general are still intact, truly remarkable. His car is encased and parked in the garden while on the ground floor of the house is a bowling lane and there is also a small indoor pool. The ceilings, walls and cabinets are designed to look like the Philippine flag and other historical symbols of the country that show his love for country. There are secret passages in almost all corners of the house. This is undestandable because the general lived at a time when the country was still fighting for its independence.
The property was donated to the government a year before the general's death in 1964 with the request that his remains be buried in the grounds of said lot. Entrance is free and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Written March 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello everyone can I ask if pwede po ba mag picture inside the museum? for project purposes
Written July 8, 2024
jeannejeanne2218
Dasmarinas City, Philippines
is it fine to take pictures and videos especially for academic purposes?
Written October 6, 2018
You should ask for permission from the curator and show an ID to prove it's for academic purposes.
Written October 7, 2018
If you are the tourism planner of this place how would you sustain and develop the natural beauty of this place?
Written February 21, 2018
Hey guys, the reviews made me feel like I have to visit the place the soonest as possible. It's like I've been there, but just passing by. Now, I'd like to see it for myself.
Is it open during weekends? I really hope that it's open even on Sundays because that's the best time I got to escape from my usual routine. Thanks.
Written August 5, 2017
Good day po. Yes po, open and museum ng Sundays, 8 am to 4 pm po and no entrance fee, kapag nakarating na po kayo roon, maglog lang po kayo. Salamat po and God bless :)
Written August 7, 2017
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