Battle of Manila, with an estimated total of 100,000 Filipino civilians killed in the city itself. Post-war era (1946–present) After the war, the district slowly transformed from a residential area into a commercial area as the upper classes moved to other cities such as Quezon City and Makati. Ermita was rebuilt after the devastation of the war. University life remained vibrant therein. However, as decades passed, Ermita started earning a reputation as the red-light district of Manila. During the first term of Mayor Alfredo Lim, 1992–1998, an effort was made to "clean up" Ermita's image and reputation. However, a local city ordinance prohibiting the establishment of motels, lodging houses and other similar establishments, was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. As a result of the clean-up efforts, nightlife in the area dwindled though it later picked up with the help of the emergence of the nearby Malate district and the Roxas Boulevard revitalization efforts along Manila Bay. Accessibility The district can be directly accessed by the main roads like the Roxas Boulevard, Padre Burgos Street, Taft Avenue and United Nations Avenue. The "Park N Ride" Lawton Bus Station, the city's main public transport hub, is located in the district along Padre Burgos Street. The Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT-1) follows Taft Avenue and stops at three stations located in Ermita, Central Terminal Station, United Nations Station and Pedro Gil Station. Facilities Recreation Rizal Park, the widest open urban public park in the country and location of the monument to the national hero José Rizal, is a prominent feature of Ermita. This was the original site for Burnham's planned government center and capitol building. Other sites of interest in Ermita include: National Museum of Fine Arts National Museum of Anthropology National Museum of Natural History National Library of the Philippines National Archives of the Philippines Museo Pambata Insurance Commission Quirino Grandstand Manila Doctors Hospital Manila Ocean Park Liwasang Bonifacio Arroceros Forest Park Bonifacio Shrine Mehan Garden Metropolitan Theater Manila Hotel The Masonic Temple of Ermita Philippine Independent Church San Vicente de Paul Church Ermita Church Philippine General Hospital, the country's largest hospital Medical Center Manila Education A number of educational institutions are also found in Ermita, including: University of the Philippines, Manila Adamson University Emilio Aguinaldo College Santa Isabel College Manila Philippine Normal University Technological University of the Philippines Universidad de Manila (formerly the City College of Manila) Manila