TRAVELS: Manila Intramuros

Intramuros, or the 'Walled City,' is one of Manila's oldest districts, having been built around 1571 on the south bank of the Pasig River. It was built by the Spaniards, specifically Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, and is surrounded on all sides by moats and thick, high walls, some of which are more than 6 metres high.

While the district was originally home to an Indianized-Malayan-Islamic settlement, in the 16th century, when the country was under Spanish control, it became the center of religious, political, and military power. Only the most affluent Spaniards and Mestizos were permitted to stay in Intramuros. That is obviously no longer the case, but the historic structures and features stand as a testament to the Philippines' difficult past.

Intramuros in History

Intramuros' vast walled enclosure contains 51 blocks totaling approximately 66 hectares. Around the walls, there are seven fortified gateways that allow access in and out of the city. The moat was added to the main structure in 1603, 32 years after the city was constructed. There are numerous hospitals, military barracks, domestic accommodations, schools, 12 churches, and the Governor's Palace in the district.

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Intramuros has defied and repelled numerous attacks throughout history due to its massive size and well-planned strategic infrastructure. The Dutch, the Portuguese, and the Chinese all failed to breach the fortress city.

During World War II, the Japanese used Intramuros as a garrison and prison facility, but Allied bombings severely damaged and destroyed it, as well as other parts of Manila. After the war, the United States took control of the city and filled in the moat to prevent disease. In the place where the moat once stood, a golf course has now been built.

Intramuros Highlights

Today, this is the only district in Manila that has managed to retain its old Spanish-era appearance. The old walls still protect the district, protecting its churches and streets from the winds of modernisation. San Agustin Church & Museum, Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila Museum, and the Rizal Shrine remain popular tourist destinations.

What deserves special mention is the Tourist Authority's success in preserving a piece of history that would otherwise have been lost forever. Although the cobbled streets of Intramuros now house various modern cafés, the transformation of Intramuros into one of the Philippines' most visited tourist destinations has been remarkable, as you can now get a glimpse of the glory as well as the sad past associated with this place.