Rachel Evans
Paco Cemetery, also known as Paco Park, is a picturesque garden and cemetery in Manila, Philippines. It was originally built as a final resting place for the rich and influential during the Spanish colonial period. The cemetery is circular in shape, with an inner circular fort that served as the original cemetery. A small Roman Catholic chapel was also built inside the walls of the park and was dedicated to St. Pancratius, a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded for his faith. Several important figures in Philippine history were buried in Paco Cemetery, including the national hero Jose Rizal, who was executed by the Spanish for his involvement in the Philippine Revolution. Today, Paco Park is a popular venue for weddings, films, and cultural programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Paco Park (originally named Cementerio General de Dilao) |
| Location | General Luna Street and Padre Faura Street in Paco, Manila, Philippines |
| History | Built by the Dominicans during the Spanish colonial period; first cemetery built outside the city walls of Manila; originally designed as a final resting place for the colonial elite and aristocratic Spanish families; later expanded to accommodate victims of the cholera outbreak |
| Occupants | Dr. Jose Rizal, GomBurZa priests (Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora), former Spanish Governor-General Ramon Solano y Lladeral, Major General Henry Lawton, several bishops, and 65 others including 22 children |
| Architecture | Circular shape with two concentric circular walls, a small domed Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius, and marble crypt markers |
| Current Use | Recreational garden, wedding venue, filming location, and cultural event space |
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What You'll Learn
- Paco Cemetery was built in 1807 to serve as a burial site for the rich and aristocratic
- It was expanded in 1822 to accommodate victims of the cholera outbreak
- The cemetery is circular in shape with an inner circular fort that served as the original cemetery
- A small Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius is located inside the walls
- Several important figures in Philippine history were buried in Paco Cemetery
Paco Cemetery was built in 1807 to serve as a burial site for the rich and aristocratic
Paco Cemetery, originally named Cementerio General de Dilao, was built in 1807 as a burial site for affluent and aristocratic Spanish families. It was constructed during the Spanish colonial period by the Dominicans and is located on General Luna Street in Paco, Manila, Philippines. The cemetery was designed by Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz, with Don Jose Coll supervising the construction work.
The cemetery is circular in shape, with an inner circular fort that served as the original burial ground. The walls were made hollow to create niches for the deceased, and a second outer wall was eventually built to accommodate the growing population of the city. This expansion was ordered by Governor Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero in 1859, bringing the cemetery to its present size of approximately 4,100 to 4,500 square yards.
Paco Cemetery became an iconic site in Manila, attracting tourists and visitors during the Spanish and American colonial periods. It is known for its thick adobe walls, which create a quiet and secluded atmosphere within the bustling city of Manila. The cemetery is also notable for its multi-layered tombs, which serve as both walls and walkways. The inner walls of the circular garden still display the marble crypt markers bearing the family names of the colonial elite.
Several prominent figures in Philippine history were laid to rest in Paco Cemetery, including the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was secretly interred there after his execution by the Spanish in 1896. Other notable burials include the GomBurZa priests—Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—who were executed in 1872 for their alleged involvement in the Cavite Mutiny. Major General Henry Lawton, the highest-ranking US military officer killed in the Philippine-American War, was also temporarily interred at Paco Cemetery before being transferred to his final resting place in the United States.
Today, Paco Cemetery has been converted into a recreational garden and is a popular venue for weddings, film shootings, and cultural events. While burials ceased in 1912, the cemetery still houses the remains of 65 individuals, including 22 children. The chapel within the cemetery is dedicated to St. Pancratius, a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded for his faith at the age of 14.
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It was expanded in 1822 to accommodate victims of the cholera outbreak
Paco Cemetery, originally known as the Cementerio General de Dilao, was built in 1807 by the Dominicans during the Spanish colonial period. It was constructed as a municipal cemetery for aristocratic Spanish families and the colonial elite. The cemetery was designed by Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz, with Don Jose Coll supervising the construction work.
The cemetery was expanded in 1822 to accommodate victims of the cholera outbreak. The Asiatic cholera pandemic swept across the continent from 1817 to 1824, and the cemetery was enlarged to provide burial space for those who succumbed to the disease. The original cemetery structure consisted of an inner circular wall with five tiers of wall niches. To accommodate the increasing number of burials, a new outer wall was built in the middle of the 19th century. This expansion allowed for more gravesites and helped meet the growing needs of the city.
The niches within the walls could not be permanently owned, and leases had to be renewed every few years. If leases were not renewed, the remains were removed and placed in a bone pit, making room for new burials. This practice was necessary to manage the limited space within the cemetery effectively.
The Paco Cemetery played a significant role in Manila's history, particularly during the cholera outbreak in the 19th century. It served as a resting place for those who lost their lives to the disease, providing a dignified burial space for the victims and their families. The expansion of the cemetery in 1822 demonstrates the impact of the cholera outbreak on the city and the measures taken to address the tragic loss of life.
Today, Paco Cemetery holds historical and cultural significance. It is known for its circular shape and the inner circular fort that served as the original cemetery. The walls, with their niches, and the small domed Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius contribute to its unique character. The cemetery has also become a popular venue for weddings, film shootings, and cultural programs, attracting tourists and visitors interested in its architecture and historical context.
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The cemetery is circular in shape with an inner circular fort that served as the original cemetery
Paco Cemetery, also known as Paco Park, is a circular cemetery with an inner circular fort that served as the original cemetery. It is located in Manila, the Philippines, and was built during the Spanish colonial period. The cemetery was designed by Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz in 1807 and was originally meant to be a final resting place for the affluent and aristocratic Spanish families who resided in the walled city. The cemetery's walls were made hollow to serve as niches, and as the population grew, a second outer wall was built, enclosing the original plan. This expansion was ordered by Spanish governor-general Fernando de Norzagaray in 1859, bringing the cemetery to its present size of 4,100 square meters.
The cemetery is known for its multi-layered tombs, which also served as the walls of the cemetery. The inner walls of the circular garden still house the marble crypt markers that bear the family names of those buried there. Paco Cemetery became an iconic site in Manila, attracting tourists and visitors during the Spanish and American periods. It was closed in 1913 as part of a campaign to improve the city's sanitation.
Several notable figures in Philippine history were buried in Paco Cemetery, including the national hero Jose Rizal, who was executed by the Spanish in 1896 for his presumed involvement in the Philippine Revolution. Other notable burials include the GomBurZa priests—Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—who were executed in 1872 for alleged sedition by the Spanish colonial authorities, and former Spanish Governor-General Ramon Solano y Lladeral.
Today, Paco Park is a recreational garden and a popular venue for weddings, film shootings, and cultural programs. It is managed by the National Parks Development Committee and continues to be a significant landmark in Manila, providing a glimpse into the city's colonial past.
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A small Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius is located inside the walls
Paco Park, originally known as the Cementerio General de Dilao, is a recreational garden and was once Manila's municipal cemetery. It was built during the Spanish colonial period and is located on General Luna Street in Paco, Manila, Philippines. The cemetery was designed by Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz in 1807 and was originally intended as a final resting place for affluent and aristocratic Spanish families.
Paco Park is circular in shape, with an inner circular fort that served as the original cemetery. Its walls were made hollow to function as niches, and as the population grew, a second outer wall was constructed, featuring thick adobe walls. The top of these walls were turned into pathways for promenades.
Within the walls of Paco Park is a small Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius. St. Pancratius was a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded for his faith at the young age of 14 around the year 304. His Greek name, Pancratius, means "the one that holds everything". The chapel is under the care of the San Vicente de Paul Parish and the Vincentian fathers, who also manage the nearby Adamson University.
Paco Park has become a popular venue for weddings, film shootings, cultural programs, and other events. Despite its current use as a recreational space, it is estimated that 65 individuals remain buried within its walls, including 22 children. The cemetery is the final resting place of several notable figures in Philippine history, including the GomBurZa priests, Filipino national hero Jose Rizal, and former Spanish Governor-General Ramon Solano y Lladeral.
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Several important figures in Philippine history were buried in Paco Cemetery
Paco Cemetery, formerly known as the Cementerio General de Dilao, is a historic site in Manila, Philippines. The cemetery was built during the Spanish colonial era to serve as a final resting place for the colonial elite. It was constructed in response to the cholera outbreak that swept through Manila in the 19th century. The cemetery was expanded in 1822 with a second outer wall to accommodate more graves. Paco Cemetery became an iconic site in Manila, attracting many visitors during the Spanish and American periods.
Several significant figures in Philippine history were laid to rest in Paco Cemetery. One of the most notable individuals is Dr. José Protasio Rizal, a Philippine national hero. Rizal was secretly buried at Paco Cemetery after his execution at Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896. His remains were exhumed on August 17, 1898, and relocated underneath a monument dedicated to him. Another notable burial at Paco Cemetery is that of the GomBurZa friars: Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jose Burgos, and Fr. Jacinto Zamora. These three diocesan clergymen were executed on February 17, 1872, after being falsely accused of involvement in the Cavite Mutiny. They were buried together in an unmarked grave within the cemetery grounds.
Other important individuals buried at Paco Cemetery include the former Spanish Governor-General Ramon Solano y Lladeral, General Lawton, and several bishops. Most of their bodies are interred within the chapel on the grounds. While Paco Cemetery ceased its burial functions in 1912, it continues to stand as a testament to the history and evolution of Manila.
Today, Paco Park, as it is now known, serves as a recreational garden and a popular venue for cultural events, film shootings, and private gatherings. The park features a small, domed Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to St. Pancratius, a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded at the age of 14. The chapel and the park as a whole reflect the religious and cultural significance that the site has held for generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Paco Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery. It was originally designed to be a final resting place for the colonial elite and the affluent and established aristocratic Spanish families who resided in old Manila.
Paco Cemetery, originally named Cementerio General de Dilao, was built in 1807 during the Spanish colonial period. It was initially designed by Maestro de Obras Don Nicolas Ruiz as a municipal cemetery for the rich and influential. The cemetery was expanded in 1822 to accommodate victims of the cholera outbreak in the city.
Yes, several important figures in Philippine history were buried in Paco Cemetery, including the former Spanish Governor-General Ramon Solano y Lladeral, Major General Henry Lawton, and a number of bishops. The cemetery is also the final resting place of three Roman Catholic priests – Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
Yes, Paco Cemetery is open to the public. It is located on General Luna Street and at the east end of Padre Faura Street in Paco, Manila, Philippines. There is usually an entrance fee of Php 10.00, but it may be waived on certain days.
