University of Santo Tomas Main Building

Overview

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia, founded in 1611 — older than Harvard by 25 years. Its Main Building, completed in 1927, is a National Historical Landmark and one of the largest earthquake-resistant structures in the Philippines.

Highlights

• Main Building: A grand Renaissance Revival structure with twin bell towers, housing the university administration and the Museum of Arts and Sciences.
• UST Museum of Arts and Sciences: Collections of natural history specimens, ivory religious figures, and colonial-era artifacts, open to visitors.
• Arch of the Centuries: A 400-year-old stone arch originally from the university's Intramuros campus, relocated to the current campus.

History

Founded by Dominican friar Miguel de Benavides on April 28, 1611, UST predates many European universities. It moved from Intramuros to its current Sampaloc campus in 1927. During the Japanese occupation, the campus was used as an internment camp for Allied civilians.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Best visited on weekdays when the museum is open. Bring a valid ID.
• Tip 2: The campus is vast — focus on the Main Building, museum, and the Arch of the Centuries.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.