Stepping into the Hallowed grounds of Rizal Shrine in Dapitan

A visit in Zamboanga del Norte will never be complete without dropping by at the Jose Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City. It has been taught to us in our History class that our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled in Dapitan for four long years.

The present Rizal Shrine sits on a 16 hectares lot which was originally owned by Rizal and is now under the administration of the National historical Institute.

Upon arrival I went straight to the Rizal Museum which houses some old photographs and memorabilia owned by Jose Rizal.

From there I went straight to the Casa Redonda. Casa Redonda is an octagonal shaped hut made of light materials. This hut served as the clinic of Dr. Jose Rizal. According to stories, it is here where Josephine Bracken’s father had his eye operation performed.

The houses inside the Rizal Shrine are all replicas, but was built the way it looked more than a hundred years ago using the same light materials.

From Casa Redonda, I then head towards the large hut which later on I learned that I was in fact the house where Rizal stayed. The hut is known as the Casa Cuadrada. The house is so big. The kitchen is located outside the house and the toilet is also separated at the back through a narrow bridge.

Though it is only Rizal who is staying in this house, some members of his family and his girlfriend Josephine Bracken visits him and stays here from several days.

From Rizal’s house, I then went to a small hut which during its time served as the dormitory of the school boys that were taught by Rizal.

A few walks away from the hut lead me to the Mi Retiro Rock. This is a heart-shaped rock that sits on an artificial lagoon. It is said that Jose Rizal wrote wrote the poems “Mi Retiro” and “Himno a Talisay”.

Visiting the Rizal Shrine is a worthwhile experience and definitely a must when visiting Dapitan and Zamboanga del Norte. Entrance to the Shrine is free of charge. The Museum is open daily from 8AM-5PM. while the rest of the area is open until night.

The Rizal Shrine is located at Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City. To get there, take a tricycle and tell the drivel to bring you to the Shrine.

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