Claro M. Recto Avenue, more popularly known as simply Recto Avenue, is the principal commercial thoroughfare in north central Manila, Philippines. It spans seven districts just north of the Pasig River in what is generally considered Manila's old downtown area. Recto's western terminus is at an intersection with Mel Lopez Boulevard at the district boundaries of Tondo and San Nicolas close to the Manila North Harbor. It runs northeast before curving to the east at Juan Luna Street and Estero de Binondo. It then passes through the Divisoria shopping area of Manila south of the Tutuban railway station until it curves southeast past the Antonio Rivera Street junction. East of Rizal Avenue and Santa Cruz district, Recto intersects with the streets of the University Belt area of Quiapo and Sampaloc before terminating at Legarda Street and Mendiola Street at the district boundaries of Quiapo and Sampaloc. Line 2 runs along its Rizal Avenue–Legarda Street segment. It has a short extension into San Miguel and the gated Malacañang Palace compound as Mendiola Street.
History
Recto Avenue was developed by sections in various time periods during the course of Spanish rule. The main section leading to the coast in San Nicolas and Tondo from Binondo was named Paseo de Azcárraga, after the Spanish-Filipino Prime Minister, Marcelo Azcárraga Palmero. In the Santa Cruz district, the road was divided into Calle General Izquierdo, Calle Paz and Calle Bilibid because of the three creeks that ran through the district. In Sampaloc, the road was named Calle Iris which terminated at Calle Alix. The name Paseo de Azcárraga was extended to include the full length of the street which was also called Paseo de Felipe at one point. Finally, in 1961, the avenue was given its present name in honor of the Filipino senator, Claro Mayo Recto. On July 7, 1892, in a building numbered 72 Calle Azcárraga, at the intersection with Calle Sagunto in Tondo, Andres Bonifacio founded the revolutionary society named Katipunan. In the early 1900s, the avenue was a theater-and-restaurant row, with Teatro Libertad and Zorrilla Theatre attracting the well-dressed crowd to zarzuela shows and operas that ran on weekends.
Transportation
Recto Avenue is a major stop on three lines of the Metro Manila Transit System.
Tutuban railway station at Dagupan Street served by PNR.
The route is also served by several bus companies and jeepneys. Additional stations will be built along the road as part of the Line 2 west expansion project.
