Aduana Building, Neoclassical customs building in Intramuros, Philippines.
The Aduana Building is a neoclassical structure positioned at Plaza España featuring balanced proportions and strong horizontal lines throughout its design. The two-story edifice presents a symmetrical facade along Soriano Avenue with columns and classical decorative details typical of its architectural period.
The structure was initially built in 1823 as a customs house serving regional trade operations. Following an earthquake in 1863 that damaged the original construction, it underwent reconstruction in 1874, emerging in its current form.
The building displays the neoclassical style favored during Spanish colonial rule and shapes the character of the plaza with its formal, symmetrical appearance. Its design reflects the order and authority that colonial administrators wanted to convey through architecture.
You can observe the building's exterior from Plaza España, where the architectural details are clearly visible and the proportions can be appreciated from various angles. Access to the interior remains limited due to ongoing restoration work, making exterior viewing the main option for visitors.
The building served as the setting for an extraordinary religious ceremony in 1907 when a papal coronation of a Marian image took place in front of its main entrance. This unusual combining of civic architecture and sacred ritual makes it a distinctive landmark in local history.
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