Bordered by the Pasig River of Philippines is the great fortress built by the Spanish colonizers. Its name Intramuros means within the walls;in the olden days the entirety of Manila was identified as what was enclosed by those thick walls. The Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legaspi soundly defeated the local chief of Manila and announced it to be their colonial centre of the East. Thence, the construction of the Intramuros began and by the 16th century, all military, political, religious, commercial and administrative functions were performed from within the confines of those walls. During World War II, most of the Intramuros was destroyed, but great measures were taken later to preserve what was left of it.
Manilas most revered stone church, the Manila Cathedral which is the seat of the Archbishop of Manila, is situated in this landmark city along with the St. Augustine Church. Fort Santiago, the garrison of the Spaniards is a towering structure which has seen many fierce battles being fought within its premises. It is also where the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned prior to his execution. Today it serves as a museum with detailed descriptions of the era of Spanish rule.
Plaza de Roma, where the famed bullfights were held during those years, also stands with a statue of King Carlos IV of Spain decorating its entrance. Baluarte de San Diego functioned as a foundry or a workshop to produce metal and glass during the 18th century and was fortified with stones. Both of these buildings were damaged at different times due to heavy fighting, but are still valued for their architectural properties.
To travel back in time, step into the Casa Manila, where you will find colonial designs, Western interiors, beautiful tapestry and antique furniture used when it was actually a mansion. Now it is a museum, cherished by historians and architects alike.
Times have changed, but modernity has spread only minimally through the great gates of the Intramuros. Save for a few cafes on the sides of the streets in the Intramuros, the old-world charm is very much intact. Be entertained by Filipino dance recitals, stage plays and music near the Dulaang Rajah Soliman, which was a barrack for the military officers in the bygone days.
The Intramuros is also a repository of knowledge, architecture and artifacts, which means there is a lot to sight-see within these walls alone. It is recommended that you set aside a good two days for this purpose, and that you find a pleasant sight-seeing base in a
Manila serviced apartment. The
luxury serviced apartments Manila such as Ascott Makati, would make an ideal home away from home for a few days while you roam about the many wonders of the Intramuros.
