Intramuros, Manila (Philippines) - Travel Guide

Take a tour of the medieval fortified city.

Intramuros, in Philippine colonial history, was the original Manila. The Spaniards first landed here in 1571 and conquered this area, that was once a center of trade for Asian goods. It will take you an entire day, or longer, to discover Intramuros.

Intramuros, which means inside the walls, used to be the political, cultural and commercial center of the Spaniards in the East. To ward off invaders, the Spaniards built the wall to protect the area. Intramuros housed Fort Santiago, the headquarters for colonizers from the Spaniards, the Americas, the Japanese, until the Philippine Independence in 1946.

The Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was incarcerated in Fort Santiago. And in his prison cell he wrote his famous poem, Mi último Adiós, before being executed by musketry. Shelling in 1945 destroyed the city beyond recognition. However, bit by bit, Intramuros was reconstructed and has recaptured its historic past. This is Baluarte de San Diego, the oldest fortification in Intramuros. Now it is favorite spot among students and visitors.

There are several schools inside Intramuros, including Letran, which was established in 1620. The present Manila Cathedral, built in 1954, resembled the old design and captured the beauty of the old churches in Intramuros. The Palcio del gobernador actually sits in the original spot of the old Spanish government building. Although modernization is inevitable, Intramuros is one of the best places to witness Manila's past. I am Roselyn Cantos, showing you Manila.

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• Manila Guide
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• historical city
• historical fortifications
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