MUST-VISIT MUSEUMS HERE IN CEBU!
Cebu is incredibly rich in culture. Cebuano culture is a blend of traditions and values shaped by its history and diverse influences from past colonization. Over the years, Cebuanos continue to preserve their culture and identity, and museums play an important role in this preservation, offering insights into Cebu’s history, heritage, art, and culture. With numerous museums scattered throughout the region, visitors can explore various aspects of Cebuano life, from archaeological finds to contemporary art.
So are you ready to step into the world of Cebuano culture? Grab your camera, pack your curiosity, and here are the top museums to visit in Cebu:
National Museum of the Philippines - Cebu (Pambansang Museo ng Pilipinas)
Location: Quezon Boulevard, Pier Area, Cebu City
Operating Hours: Tuesday - Sunday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission fee: Free
Situated near Plaza Independencia, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)-Cebu was once the customs house of the Port of Cebu for nearly a century, and even endured World War II bombings. In 2004, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo converted the structure into the “Malacañang sa Sugbo”, aiming to bring the national government closer to the Visayas. However, it faced closure in 2013 due to damage from a 7.1-magnitude earthquake.
But now, the NMP-Cebu is even more captivating following its recent renovation. It showcases exhibitions that capture Cebu’s rich biodiversity, geology, archaeology, art, ethnography, and maritime traditions. It also features a special exhibition from the Philippine Center in New York and works by Cebuano master Martino Abellana. The museum includes five galleries, a lobby with Cebuano artworks, a terrace, courtyard, and NMP’s first museum shop.
Cebu Provincial Museum (Museo Sugbo)
Location: #731 M.J. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City
Operating Hours: Monday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Admission fee:
Adults: ₱30 (Filipinos), ₱75 (Foreigners)
Students: ₱10 (Filipinos), ₱50 (Foreigners)
Senior Citizens: ₱10
Museo Sugbo, located in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), originally known as “Carcel de Cebu,” traces its history back to its construction in 1869 using coral blocks from the Parian Church. Over 135 years, it served as a jail for criminals, housed Katipuneros during the revolution, and later functioned as stables during the American period.
Today, it serves as the Cebu Provincial Museum with exhibits that include political history, presidential portraits, and archaeological treasures like those from the San Diego shipwreck of 1600. These galleries will allow visitors to learn more about Cebu’s history from the Pre-Colonial Era through the Spanish, American Colonial, and Post-War periods.
Casa Gorordo Museum
Location: #35 Eduardo Aboitiz St., Brgy. Tinago, Cebu City
Operating Hours: Monday - Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission fee: ₱70
Casa Gorordo Museum is a preserved 19th-century ancestral home. It is a two-storey bahay na bato (stone house), which provides a glimpse into how the Spaniard colonization affected Cebuano architecture and lifestyle during that era. Casa Gorordo Museum derives its name from "casa," meaning house, and it was originally owned by the Gorordo family, including the first Filipino Archbishop of Cebu, Juan Gorordo. In 1980, the home was converted into a museum by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), and 11 years later, was declared as a historical landmark by the National Historical Institute Board.
Inside Casa Gorordo Museum, visitors encounter different antique furniture, period costumes, religious relics, and paintings that reflect Cebuano life in the past. There are collections of wood carvings, decorative arts, household items, and historical tools for farming, kitchen, and baking. The museum also displays old artifacts such as agricultural implements and washing instruments like wooden irons and clothes wringers.
University of San Carlos Museum
Location: P. del Rosario St., Cebu City
Operating Hours: Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM; Saturday | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Admission fee: Free
The University of San Carlos Museum, inaugurated in 1967 by Fr. Pres. Rudolf Rahmann and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, showcases a diverse collection ranging from excavated ceramics to rare flora and fauna. Originally housed in cabinets of curiosity since 1908 at the old Seminario-Colegio de San Carlos, the museum relocated to its current location at USC's Downtown Campus on P. Del Rosario Street.
The USC Museum features five indoor galleries, an open gallery, and a hallway exhibit area, including exhibitions on biodiversity, archaeology, ethnography, and the Rosita R. Arcenas collections of Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramics and Bisayan Santos. The museum also collaborates with USC's Department of Biology for additional collections on the Talamban Campus. This museum houses treasures that show the cultural heritage of Cebu and the Visayas region.
Cebu’s museums truly offer a fascinating journey, where every visit tells a story of resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of the Cebuano people.
Plan your museum tours anytime, but if you’re eager to experience this and more, and want to do it with other people, the Gabii sa Kabilin, (translated as “Night of Heritage”) may be the perfect opportunity! This annual event is open to everyone, especially those unfamiliar with Cebu. With budget-friendly ticket prices, it not only allows you to explore top museums, but also takes you on tours with planned routes through Cebu’s heritage sites, landmarks, and cultural performances. It's the best way to dive deep into Cebuano culture and history in a memorable and immersive way.
To know more or stay updated, you can always visit their Facebook account, where they post updates and details about Gabii sa Kabilin, ensuring you don't miss out on this enriching cultural experience.
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