Information about National Museum Tagbilaran

National Museum Tagbilaran

The National Museum Tagbilaran is Bohol’s cultural center that showcases the province’s rich history and heritage.

History and Location

The site of Bohol’s national museum used to be the 1860 Provincial Capitol Building, which was reconstructed after it had been damaged by an earthquake in 2013. The museum, located on Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, was opened to the public in July 2018.

It is the goal of the museum to not only serve as a cultural center but also as an educational and scientific institution. As such, the museum has dedicated sections where the results of the archaeological excavation and exploration of the sites in Anda Peninsula are displayed, giving insights to the prehistory of the island of Bohol.

The museum organizes artwork exhibits, too, such as the one featuring the Boholano artist Napoleon Abueva. The exhibit features dozens of significant works from the artist’s personal collection as well as the tools that he used in sculpting. Abueva was known as the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture and was a National Artist for Sculpture when he was still alive. These recognitions are the first for a Boholano artist.

There’s also an entire section displaying the rehabilitation efforts made on the old churches that were damaged during the earthquake. Also housed in the museum are documentations on the protection, conservation, and preservation of cultural properties of Bohol and Eastern Samar, which were both hit by the 2013 earthquake. These are important since they are considered National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

Some of the galleries in the museum are also dedicated to pay tribute to outstanding Boholanos, while some others feature the newest stamps of 20 Philippine heritage churches, including Dauis Church as a recent addition.

The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 8 am to 5 pm.