Rizal Monument, Bronze obelisk memorial in Ermita, Philippines
The Rizal Monument is a granite structure with a 22-meter tall obelisk and a bronze statue at its center portraying José Rizal. Guards stand before the memorial day and night, performing regular changing ceremonies.
José Rizal was executed at this site by Spanish colonial forces on December 30, 1896, after being charged with rebellion. The Philippine government built the current monument in 1913 to honor the man whose death accelerated the independence movement.
The memorial honors José Rizal, a national hero whose writings inspired the Philippine independence movement. Locals often place flowers at the base of the statue as a sign of respect.
The memorial stands in Rizal Park, a large green area that is easy to reach on foot. Visitors arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon find more shade and fewer crowds.
Twelve granite pillars surround the central obelisk and bear inscriptions depicting different stages in the life of José Rizal. One of these pillars displays the final words the scholar spoke before his execution.
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