Arch of the Centuries | |
---|---|
Arko ng mga Siglo | |
Former names | Puerta del Colegio |
General information | |
Type | Triumphal Arch |
Architectural style | Baroque |
Location | UST Plaza Intramuros, Manila, Philippines |
Coordinates | 14°36′30″N 120°59′27″E / 14.6084°N 120.9908°E |
Construction started | c. 1680 |
Relocated | 1954 |
Design and construction | |
Main contractor | C.F. Pablo and Son (1953) |
Designated | 25 January 2010 |
Reference no. | 1–2010 |
The Arch of the Centuries (Filipino: Arko ng mga Siglo) is a triumphal arch at the Plaza Intramuros of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Half of the current structure, the side facing the UST Main Building is the ruins of the 17th-century arch door of the first UST campus in Intramuros, while the side that faces España Boulevard is a replica inaugurated in 1954.
It was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum on 25 January 2010.
One of the cultural icons of the University of Santo Tomas, it is often the site of important campus events. The Thomasian Welcome Walk is UST's tradition of welcoming the freshmen by passing through the arch. The passing through happens once more after the baccalaureate mass when the graduating class exits through the arch, signifying the completion of their student life in the university.