AYUNTAMIENTO DE MANILA BEFORE WORLD WAR II

The Ayuntamiento de Manila is a building located at the corner of Andrés Soriano Avenue (formerly Calle Aduana) and Cabildo Street in Intramuros, Manila. Construction of the Ayuntamiento began in 1599 and it officially opened in 1607.

The Ayuntamiento was the seat of the Manila City Council during the Spanish period, which consisted of two alcaldes (city leaders), eight oidores (judges), a clerk, and a chief constable.

During the early American period until 1903, the Ayuntamiento was used as the office of the American military governor. Later on, the building was used by the First Philippine Assembly, then by the Philippine Legislature until 1924.

The Ayuntamiento was destroyed in 1945 during the Battle of Manila, with only the outer walls of the first floor remaining and the lot repurposed as a parking lot.

Reconstruction of the Ayuntamiento began in 2009 and was completed in 2013. The building now houses the office of the Bureau of Treasury.