Church, Clay Pot and A Hero's House in Calamba, Laguna

I remember that in primary years, your educational trip would not be complete without visiting the ancestral house of Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba. So as we travel in Laguna, a visit on the house of Dr. Jose Rizal is definitely in the list. The house of Dr. Jose Rizal is also known as the Rizal Shrine. Although I’ve been there few years back when I attended a friend’s wedding I was still eager in setting my foot again at our National Hero’s abode.

Just across the Rizal Shrine is the Calamba Church and in front of the church is the large clay pot with the names of Calamba’s Barangays written on it. We opted to visit the church first. Unfortunately there was a funeral service so we didn’t stay long inside the church. Outside the church are carved stone tablet of the Stations of the Cross. A tablet of the Ten Commandments is also located near the Stations of the Cross.

There was an educational trip when we went to the house of Dr. Jose Rizal so the place was crowded and a bit noisy. Students are everywhere in the place.

The original house of Dr. Jose Rizal was already destroyed in World War II and subsequently demolished. The government bought the ruins of the house and a project was made to rebuild the house. The task of rebuilding the house was supervised by Architect Juan Nakpil.

The lower part of the house is made of stone while the upper part is made of wood. It has rooms, kitchen, bathroom and a library. The surviving feature of the old house is the well that is next to the dining room. The house is painted green however its original color was white. 

The famous quote of Dr. Jose Rizal about loving our own language is written on a ceiling outside of the house.

Outside the house is a gallery, library and a shop of memorabilia. A replica of a nipa hut was also built in the shrine. A statue of a young Rizal and a dog can also be seen in the Shrine.