Enter The Walled City of Intramuros

Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part in planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into an unfamiliar places, people and culture is paramount.

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INTRAMUROS

Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the “Walled City”, Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat of the government during the Spanish Colonial Period.

The city was located then along Manila Bay and south of the Pasig River entrance, before 20th-century reclamations obscured the city from the bay. Guarding the city is Fort Santiago, a citadel located at the mouth of the river. Construction of its thick defensive walls were started by the Spaniards in the late 16th century to protect the seat of the Spanish government from foreign invasions (most notably British and Dutch) and raiding Chinese sea pirates.

Photo from: manila.gov.ph

Inside Intramuros

The main square of the city was Plaza Mayor (later known as Plaza McKinley and Plaza de Roma) in front of the Manila Cathedral. East of the plaza was the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) and facing it was the Governor’s Palace, the official residence of the Spanish viceroyalties to the Philippines. The earthquake of June 3, 1863 destroyed the three buildings and much of the city. The residence of the Governor-General was moved to Malacañang Palace located about 3 km (1.9 mi) up on Pasig River. The two previous buildings were later rebuilt but not the Governor’s Palace.

Photo from: toptouristsites.com

Photo from: withbackpack.wordpress.com

Inside the walls are other Roman Catholic churches, the oldest being San Agustin Church (Augustinians) built in 1607. The other churches built by the different religious orders – San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Recollects), San Francisco Church (Franciscans), Third Venerable Order Church (Third Order of St. Francis), Santo Domingo Church (Dominican), Lourdes Church (Capuchins), and the San Ignacio Church (Jesuits) – has made the small walled city the City of Churches.

Photo from: blog.traceylheppner.com

Photo from: amazing-destinations.com

Physical features of the walls

The outline of the defensive walls of Intramuros is irregular in shape, following the contours of Manila Bay and the curvature of the Pasig River. The walls covered an area of 64 hectares (160 acres) of land, surrounded by 8 feet (2.4 m) thick stones and high walls that rise to 22 feet (6.7 m). An inner moat (foso) surrounds the perimeter of the wall and an outer moat (contrafoso) surrounds the walls that face the city.

At the end of World War II, all of the structures in Intramuros were destroyed by both the Japanese Imperial Forces and U.S. Air Force. Of all the churches, government buildings, schools and residences, only one structure, the Church of San Agustin survived the heavy bombardment but not without any damage.

For people who loved history and wants to be a part of it, a visit to Intramuros will certainly bring the past and remind us how it was before…