Hidalgo Street
 Hidalgo Street looking east towards Plaza del Carmen and San Sebastian Church | |
| Length | 0.8 km (0.50 mi) |
|---|---|
| Location | City of Manila |
| West end | Gomez Street |
| Major junctions | Villalobos Street Quezon Boulevard Bautista Street Elizondo Street |
| East end | Bilibid Viejo Street and Plaza del Carmen |
Hidalgo Street (also F.R. Hidalgo Street or R. Hidalgo Street) is a street located in Quiapo in the old downtown of Manila, Philippines. It runs east-west through the center of the district linking two of the district's most popular landmarks, Quiapo Church and San Sebastian Church. It is divided by Quezon Boulevard into two sections. The western section is a pedestrian zone that forms the southern boundary of Plaza Miranda running parallel to Carriedo Street. The eastern section is a two-lane street which leads to the San Sebastian Church. Formerly known during the Spanish colonial times as Calle San Sebastian, it was renamed after Félix Resurrección Hidalgo.[1][2]
Hidalgo Street Project
Hidalgo Street is a hodgepodge of vendors specifically catering to photographers (professional and enthusiasts alike). It was regarded in the late 19th century as the most beautiful street in Manila.[3] Today, there are proposals to restore and preserve the buildings on Hidalgo Street.
In 2006, John Chua, a well-known advertising photographer based in Makati and Jason B. Lindo, an advertising consultant, proposed the Hidalgo Project to the Manila city government. The proposal includes the rehabilitation and beautification of Hidalgo Street as a Photographers' Haven. It was very well received and the mayor immediately appointed government personnel to execute the projects.
Among the historic structures along the Hidalgo Street area are:
- Basilica Minore de San Sebastian
- Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church)
- Ocampo Pagoda Mansion (Bilibid Viejo Street)
- Nakpil-Bautista House (Ariston Bautista Street), Masterpiece by Arcadio Arellano, Viennese Secession motifs, home of Julio Nakpil, musical composer of the Katipunan, and Gregoria de Jesus, organizer of the women's corps of the Katipunan.
- Boix House (beside Nakpil house), Beautiful 1890s house with Neo-Renaissance ornamentation.
- Paterno Mansion (Hidalgo Street), Large mansion with Neoclassical details.
- Enriquez Mansion (formerly on Hidalgo Street, transferred to Bagac, Bataan), 1890s house with Ionic columns. Praised by Maria Morilla Norton in the 1910s as "the most beautiful house in the islands." Became the site of the School of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines.
- Ocampo Mansion (F. R.-Hidalgo Street), Home to Francisco Santiago, composer of the Ave Maria. Original site of the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music. Dignified example of early 1900s style.
- Zamora House (Hidalgo Street), Residence of Manuel A. Zamora, inventor of 'tiki-tiki' for fighting beriberi. Superb sequence of inner courtyards.
- Padilla House (Hidalgo Street)
- Don Jose Sulpicios Orpilla Mansion (Hidalgo Street)
Schools
Hidalgo Street is currently the home of different schools and universities which serve the scholastic needs of the vicinity. Located along the street are Manuel Luis Quezon University Manila Campus, and Nazarene Catholic School (formerly Quiapo Parochial School) Elementary and Secondary School buildings. Hidalgo also serves as entrance road towards Guzman College of Science and Technology in De Guzman Street.
To go to Santa Rita College and San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Manila, one has to access Hidalgo Street.
References
- ^ Alcazaren, Paulo (31 January 2004). "What's in a name?". Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ Batongbakal, Luisito E. (18 February 2016). "10 Random Facts About Manila That Will Blow Your Mind". Spot.PH. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Manila: Quiapo, heart of Manila". Ivan Henares. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
