Rizal Shrine at Fort Santiago

Rizal Shrine at Fort Santiago is a museum dedicated to the lifework of José Rizal. During Spain's colonization of the islands, it served as barracks for Spanish artillery soldiers. The museum is situated in the building where Rizal hid his famous poem Mi último adiós (My Last Farewell) in an oil lamp later given to his sister, Trinidad, and spent his final night.
The shrine is home to various memorabilia such as books, manuscripts, the shells he collected in Dapitan, and artwork. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines renovated the museum to attract younger audiences in 2014The Museum of Contemporary Art, and Design (MCAD) was designed by local architect Ed Calma and is the only space in the Philippines that approximates a gallery space and international contemporary art museum.

On the eve of his execution, Jose Rizal sadly wrote to his family to bid them farewell, “I would like to see each one of you before dying, though it may cost much pain. Come the most valiant, I have some important things to say.” Serenely accepting his tragic fate, he composed his untitled valedictory poem, which came to be known “Mi Ultimo Adios.” On 30 December 1896, Rizal calmly faced the firing squad in Bagumbayan.