Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, Neoclassical heritage building on Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, Philippines.
Rizal Memorial Library and Museum is a three-story neoclassical building located on Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City. The entrance features a sculpture of Jose Rizal holding an open book with two children beside him, and the structure combines library, museum, and cultural spaces within its halls.
The structure was built in 1939 through public fundraising efforts and later served as headquarters for Japanese forces during World War II. It endured heavy American bombardments and survived as a testament to the period's turmoil.
The building houses the Cebu City Museum of Visual Arts, displaying regional artworks on its second floor and the Sinulog Hall on the third floor. These spaces reflect how local creative traditions are preserved and celebrated through exhibitions and community gatherings.
The ground floor houses the public city library, which is open around the clock and offers free wireless internet for visitors. Since different areas of the building operate on different schedules, it helps to check ahead about which sections are active when you plan to visit.
The building originated from a proposal by librarian Flavia Suson-Muaña as an alternative to a planned monument for Jose Rizal. This unusual genesis meant the structure serves both as a memorial and as a working public facility with practical value for the community.
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