Rizal Park | |
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Luneta National Park | |
IUCN category II (national park)
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The Rizal Monument in Rizal Park
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Location | Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
Coordinates | 14°34′57″N 120°58′42″E / 14.58250°N 120.97833°ECoordinates: 14°34′57″N 120°58′42″E / 14.58250°N 120.97833°E |
Area | 58 ha (140 acres) |
Established | 1820 |
Governing body | National Parks Development Committee |
Website | Official Website |
Rizal Park (Filipino: Liwasang Rizal), also known as Luneta National Park or simply Luneta, is a historical urban park in the Philippines. Located along Roxas Boulevard, Manila, adjacent to the old walled city of Intramuros, it is one of the largest urban parks in Asia. It has been a favorite leisure spot, and is frequented on Sundays and national holidays. Rizal Park is one of the major tourist attractions of Manila.
Situated by the Manila Bay, it is an important site in Philippine history. The execution of national hero José Rizal on December 30, 1896 fanned the flames of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom of Spain. The area was officially renamed Rizal Park in his honor, and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park's symbolic focal point. The Declaration of Philippine Independence from the United States was held here on July 4, 1946 as were later political rallies including those of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that culminated in the EDSA Revolution.
Luneta is situated at the northern terminus of Roxas Boulevard. To the east of the boulevard, the park is bounded by Taft Avenue, Padre Burgos Avenue and Kalaw Avenue. To the west is the reclaimed area of the park bounded by Katigbak Drive, South Drive, and the shore of Manila Bay.