National Museum of the Philippines, National museum in Ermita, Philippines
The National Museum of the Philippines occupies several buildings in Ermita, Manila, housing galleries for art, archaeology, and natural sciences. The rooms are organized by theme and guide visitors through displays of paintings, excavated finds, and preserved animals.
The institution was founded in October 1901 and initially served as a repository for natural history and ethnographic objects. Over the decades the collection expanded and spread across several specialized buildings in the city center.
The collection brings together works by local artists alongside precolonial objects that together reveal the cultural development of the archipelago. Visitors see weavings, pottery, and jewelry from different regions, each preserving distinct traditions and techniques.
Admission is free on all opening days, making a visit accessible for travelers and locals alike. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday and remain closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Some collection pieces were only recently returned from overseas after spending decades in foreign institutions. These returns expand understanding of local fauna and connect scientific research with claims of cultural ownership.
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