San Nicolas district, Binondo, Metro Manila
San Nicolas, West of Binondo, is a district that survived the war intact. In and around Madrid and Lavezares Streets you can find some run down but marvellous 19th century old houses with pearl windows and elaborate carvings. Those houses are truly authentic and magnificent.
This district has probably the biggest collection of 19th-century houses that still exist in Manila.
It seems that those houses are just waiting to be demolished. Actually I saw quite a lot of new buildings being constructed. It is too bad that the owners of those marvellous houses don’t have the money to renovate them. My advice is to visit this neighbourhood as soon as possible and take a lot of pictures. I fear that in ten years time the whole neighbourhood might be just another concrete jungle. I feel bad because I know it will not be saved for future generations. Sad, very sad.
Where: San Nicolas neighbourhood, West of Binondo, in the area of Madrid, Lavezares and San Nicolas Streets.
My rating: 10/10. Even if they are in a far state of decay those 19th century old houses have still a lot of charm. I saw a lot of lovely windows, doorways and panels decorated with stars & flowers.
I felt in LOVE with this neighbourhood and I will go back often for more discoveries.
Source: My Sarisari Store
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carla » October 16th, 2006 at 6:15 am
wow, that will definitely be on my list for my next self-tour of manila. i remember that there are some other houses like those along r. hidalgo which are about in the same state as the ones in your pics. thanks for posting this!
DatuPanot » October 17th, 2006 at 2:19 am
hi,
it is very sad indeed when you see these “heritage” houses on their present state. what is sadder is the fact that these houses are torn down to make way for new buildings. i think that there should be an effort to save them or at least
DatuPanot » October 17th, 2006 at 2:21 am
hi,
it is very sad indeed when you see these “heritage” houses on their present state. what is sadder is the fact that these houses are torn down to make way for new buildings. i think that there should be an effort to save them or at least have some form of restriction as to the style of new buildings that would conform to the “old heritage style ” architecture.
thanks!
charles » October 17th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
So this is your other blog Sidney. Very nice and quite informative!
Sidney » October 17th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Well, it is not my blog. I just contribute once in a while.
You can find the “founding” fathers under the “about us” in the second column (top).
SAN » November 8th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Ich habe Ihre Blog gelesen und fühle ich mich wohl dieser Blog zu lesen.
Bitte besuchen Sie uns
eric aka senor enrique » November 13th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
I guess most of the owners had either gone abroad or moved to one of the gated communities outside of Manila and no longer cared much for their upkeep. On the other hand, some may not have the funds to maintain their ancestral homes. Whatever the reason, it is really sad whenever they’re left to decay to become fire hazards.
tito » November 16th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
hi sidney,
did you join Carlos’ tour there or just DIY tour?
one of your pictures is the old house where an entire “baranggay” lives
Click here for my own post
change » March 26th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Hi, I just stumbled upon your post. Nice blog by the way.
I agree with the others on how sad the state of these “heritage houses” have deteriorated. I’ve been meaning to take pictures of them for my blog for quite some time now. And to think I live near here. But I just have a hard time looking at them at the state they’re in.
Anyway, I enjoy reading your other posts. More power.
bob chang » October 9th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
have you been to CHINA?
The Islander » July 29th, 2008 at 10:06 am
who would say that in this part of manila, aside from intramuros, there still exist a potential tourist attraction which is a remnant of the past, a heritage.
shery » August 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
the sight of these old houses that once stood so elegant in the past….and soon to vanish in the air…i just don’t know but i feel so very very sad.
Get A. Life » October 29th, 2008 at 9:11 am
life. get one.
Whatever » October 29th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Whoever wrote that needs to get a life. What a butthead.