The Santa Rosa Arch, or Bantayang Bato, isn’t just a monument—it’s a piece of the city’s soul. Built between 1859 and 1860, it was actually inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Pretty ambitious, right? But Santa Rosa has always been a city with big dreams.
The arch we see today isn’t the original, though. It was rebuilt in 1925 under then-Municipal President Jose Zavalla, and just a few years later, in 1931, local sculptor David Diaz gave it a makeover, adding those cool Art Deco vibes.
One of the most iconic parts? The four lion sculptures perched around it. They’re not just for show—they’re meant to be the city’s guardians. In fact, that’s where Santa Rosa gets its nickname, the Lion City of South Luzon. More than just an old arch, this monument is a symbol of the city’s pride, history,...
Read moreThe Santa Rosa Arch,also known as the Bantayang Bato,is a monument in the city of Santa Rosa in Laguna, Philippines.
The original structure was built between 1859 and 1860 and was patterned after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.It was commissioned to be built by Arcadio Arambulo. It was built as a replacement to an old guard tower which was used by the Spanish colonial authorities to guard the then-town from bandits. The current structure was erected in 1925 during the tenure of Municipal President Jose Zavalla. Local sculptor David Dia was commissioned to renovate the arch in 1931.Since the 1931 renovation, the arch exhibits Art Deco...
Read moreThe Santa Rosa Arch is a prominent landmark that can be found in what is called the Lion City of the South. It is an American colonial period structure with its designer paying a homage to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. It is said to have been completed in 1931. Four lions can be found at the base of the arch and the arch is usually lit...
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