Every time I visit Manila, one landmark I never fail to notice is the towering Manila City Hall with its iconic Clock Tower proudly rising above the busy streets. For years, I would simply pass by it—curious, amazed, yet unaware of what lay inside. Little did I know that behind this historic structure was a hidden gem: the Manila Clock Tower Museum. More than just a timekeeping monument, the museum offers a deeper look into the city’s rich past, its heroes, and its heritage—all housed within the most recognizable feature of Manila’s skyline.
The Manila Clock Tower was designed by renowned Filipino architect Antonio Toledo and completed in the 1930s as part of the Manila City Hall building. Standing at around 100 feet tall, it is the largest clock tower in the Philippines and has become a recognizable symbol of the city. Over the years, it stood not only as a functioning timepiece but also as a silent witness to Manila’s history—from World War II devastation to post-war rebuilding and beyond.
The entrance to the museum
Formerly a storage room, the interior was renovated to contain an art gallery, coffee shop, and a museum featuring an exhibit of historical events. It was opened to the public on December 27, 2021 (my birthday 🙂 ). The museum was envisioned as a space to preserve, showcase, and honor the capital’s vibrant past while giving visitors a new perspective on an old icon. They initially offered free access but visitors should make reservations first. However, last March 2024, they implemented new rules. There is now an entrance fee of Php 100 with 50% discount for kids age 12 and below. Walk-ins are also now allowed.
The Manila Clock Tower Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM, but you may want to check their Facebook Page first for any announcements. When we get there, we were warmly welcomed by their team.
The tower has seven levels. The first floor features a WW2-inspired gallery, the second and the fifth floor feature rotating exhibits. It means that the displays or the items being exhibited are not permanent. So, the painting or the artworks will vary from time to time. The third floor is where the Clock Tower Cafe is located while the Hall of Mayors can be found on the fourth floor. The sixth and the seventh floor is where the Clock Mechanism room and the Observation deck can be found respectively.
Level 1: The World War 2 Gallery
As soon as you enter the museum, you will be greeted by a World War 2 inspired exhibit. A suspended replica of a bomb is probably one of the first things to get your attention.
The reception area features installation depicting events when Manila was declared as Open City during the second World war. Open City Manila was a strategic and humanitarian effort by retreating Allied forces to spare the city from war’s destruction. Unfortunately, the Japanese ignored the declaration, and Manila endured immense suffering both during the occupation and its eventual liberation.
Approaching the mezzanine, you’ll find a large photo gallery dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the World War 2
The gallery exhibits various sculptures, paintings, and photos related to the Manila Clock tower and the Second World War
Metal artworks showing different interpretation of the clock tower
Probably one of best parts of this gallery are these vintage bombs on display. Together with a huge painting by a well-known artist Rene Robles. Entitled “Assertionism”, a 3D painting depicting the scenes of the 2nd World War in the Philippines.
Most of these are donated by DECU-Manila Police District
Adjacent to it is another gallery depicting scenes from the “bombing of Manila”
Another gallery showing some rubbles from the Manila bombing during the second world war.
Make sure not to miss a photo opp in this huge arm chair on the first floor of the Manila Clock Tower Museum.
Level 2: Art Gallery (Rotating Exhibit)
The second level of the tower features various artworks from different artists. Here, you will witness different painting styles and artists’ interpretations. Some of these paintings are also for sale.
“Ataraxia” by Rembert Quimada
“Isang Putok” by Otto Neri
Various paintings by the actor Jao Mapa
Anino, a mixed media art by Bokeng Ancanan, a Filipino multidisciplinary artist, is known for his works celebrating Filipino culture and traditions.
“The Trans Performer” by Orley Ypon
“Unheard” By Emmanuel Nim
LEVEL 3: The ClockTower Cafe
A cafe in a clock tower? Well, that will certainly give you a unique dining experience. While food and drinks are not allowed in the museum, you can have a break in their Clock Tower Cafe. The Clock Tower Cafe is brought by the Aviary Cafe (the one in Manila Zoo). It offers a wide variety of cakes, pastries and drinks, such as croissants, cheesecakes, caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks.
The Cafe is also surrounded by various Art works.
The price of their beverages and their meals will range from Php110 to Php 250. Take note that you can only eat and drink in this level and you are not allowed to bring them anywhere else in the tower.
LEVEL 4: The Hall of Mayors
One of my favorite parts of this entire Clock Tower Experience is the Hall of Mayors gallery. Here, you’ll get a chance to experience how it feels like to become one of the Mayors of Manila (even in just few minute). This hall is a perfect photo opportunity. You can find the portraits of all the past mayors of Manila from Arsenio Cruz Herrera to former Mayor Honey Lacuna.
Honorable Mayor Milton Coyne huh?
There are also infographic walls showing the old map of Manila
A small library
Oh look, a Caviteño in Manila! A bust statue of Emilio Aguinaldo, our first President
Level 5: More Artworks!
The fifth level of the tower is also a rotating exhibit showcasing various paintings, installations, photographs, and mixed media from different artists.
“Tranquil Reverie: Girl Amidst White Flowers” by Shellie Charrise Nim
“Twilight Companions” by Daniel Tuco Yu
Yakunaga (Yaku Nagashima)
Himig sa May Nilad, a commemorative artwork by Kristine Lim
LEVEL 6: The Clock Mechanism Room
The sixth level of the tower is definitely the highlight of this tour. There are no artworks on display or any infographic walls to view. Here, you can find the clock tower’s mechanisms. All four clocks are functioning and each facing all four directions.
The West Clock facing the historic Intramuros.
The East Clock facing the Malacañang Palace
The South Clock facing the Bonifacio Shrine
The South Clock facing the Rizal Park. The clock tower’s mechanism has already undergone three restorations. The clock tower’s mechanism has been upgraded and synchronized to Philippine Standard Time, thanks to computer-controlled, GPS-synchronized mechanisms. This means the four clock faces are no longer manually adjusted but automatically keep accurate time.
This is also the loudest room. You can here all the four clocks ticking every minute.
Located at the center of this empty room is a spiral staircase which will take you to the last level
LEVEL 7: The View Deck
The last and the topmost level of the Clock tower is the view deck which gives you the panoramic view of Manila
The Manila City Hall as viewed from the Tower
Things you should know About the Manila Clock Tower Museum
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Entrance Fee: Php 100 / 12 years old and below is 50% off
However,
a. PWDs are FREE
b. Senior citizens are FREE
c. Students from MANILA Schools that have an official educational field trip are FREE
just present your Valid ID upon entrance
How to get to Manila Clock Tower Museum:
Manila City Hall is located in the heart of the City of Manila. This means reaching this place, with its distinctive and iconic clock tower, should not be difficult, especially with the easy availability of public transportation options.
If you’re from the South, any buses bound for Lawton or Quiapo will pass by the Manila City Hall
Here are other Museums in Manila that you should visit:
