Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros

The Historic Walled City of Manila

PUBLISHED February 12, 2007

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

The historical significance of Intramuros and its landmarks, such as Fort Santiago and the Fortifications of Manila, is deeply rooted in the Philippines’ rich heritage, symbolizing resilience through periods of political, economic, and wartime challenges.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Intramuros with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Intramuros. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Intramuros, Manila’s historic walled district, spans approximately 0.67 square kilometers and was once regarded as the entire city during the Spanish colonial era. The strategic location along the bay and at the mouth of the Pasig River made Manila an ideal trading hub for the Tagalog tribes and kingdoms, facilitating commerce with merchants from present-day China, India, Borneo, and Indonesia. The prehistoric polity of Maynila occupied the area where Intramuros would later be established.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

ABOVE: Baluarte San Diego, built between 1586 and 1592, is a historic bastion in Intramuros with a round shape designed for defense, preserved through several restorations.

Spanish Colonial Era

In 1564, Spanish explorers led by Miguel López de Legazpi set sail from New Spain (now Mexico) and arrived in Cebu on February 13, 1565, marking the beginning of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. After learning about the rich resources in Maynila, Legazpi sent his lieutenants Martín de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo to explore Luzon. By 1570, after conflicts with Muslim natives, the Spaniards reached an agreement with local leaders Rajah Sulaiman III, Lakan Dula, and Rajah Matanda, who ceded the city to them.

Legazpi declared Manila the capital of the Spanish colony on June 24, 1571, due to its strategic location and resources. King Philip II of Spain awarded the city a coat of arms and the title Ciudad Insigne y Siempre Leal, making it the political, military, and religious center of the Spanish Empire in Asia.

ABOVE: Casa Manila in Intramuros offers a captivating glimpse into 19th-century Filipino life with its restored Spanish colonial decor and historical artifacts.

Fortifications and Architecture

Manila faced constant threats from natural disasters and invasions. In 1574, Chinese pirate Limahong attacked and destroyed much of the city, leading to a reconstruction effort. This prompted the construction of defensive walls, which began under Governor-General Santiago de Vera. The fortifications were designed by Jesuit Priest Antonio Sedeno and Spanish military engineer Leonardo Iturriano, with construction carried out by Chinese and Filipino workers. The walls and fortifications were expanded and improved over the centuries, with significant work completed by the 19th century.

Key Landmarks

The main square of Intramuros was Plaza Mayor, later known as Plaza McKinley and then Plaza de Roma, situated in front of the Manila Cathedral. To the east of this main square stood the Ayuntamiento (City Hall), and opposite it was the Palacio del Gobernador, the residence of the Spanish viceroyalties. A devastating earthquake on June 3, 1863, destroyed these key buildings along with much of the city. Following the disaster, the Governor-General’s residence was relocated to Malacañang Palace, situated about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) upstream on the Pasig River. Although the Ayuntamiento and Palacio del Gobernador were rebuilt, the Governor’s Palace was not.

Intramuros was also renowned for its numerous Roman Catholic churches, earning the nickname “City of Churches.” The oldest of these is San Agustin Church, built by the Augustinians in 1607. Other significant churches include San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Recollects), San Francisco Church (Franciscans), Third Venerable Order Church (Third Order of St. Francis), Santo Domingo Church (Dominicans), Lourdes Church (Capuchins), and San Ignacio Church (Jesuits).

The religious orders that established these churches also founded convents and educational institutions within Intramuros. The Dominicans established the Universidad de Santo Tomás in 1611 and the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán in 1620. The Jesuits founded the Universidad de San Ignacio in 1590, the first university in the Philippines, although it closed in 1768 following their expulsion. After their return, the Jesuits established the Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1859. During the early colonial period, Intramuros was home to about 1,200 Spanish families, with 600 residing within the walls and another 600 in the surrounding suburbs.

American Rule

Following the Spanish–American War, Spain ceded the Philippines and several other territories to the United States under the Treaty of Paris, with the U.S. paying $20 million. On August 13, 1898, the American flag was raised at Fort Santiago, marking the beginning of American rule in Manila. The Ayuntamiento became the headquarters of the Philippine Commission of the United States in 1901, while Fort Santiago served as the headquarters of the Philippine Division of the U.S. Army.

The American administration implemented significant changes in Manila. In 1903, they removed the walls between the Santo Domingo Gate and the Almacenes Gate to enhance the wharf on the southern bank of the Pasig River. The double moats surrounding Intramuros were deemed unsanitary and were filled with mud from Manila Bay, where the current Port of Manila now stands. These moats were subsequently transformed into a municipal golf course.

In 1936, Commonwealth Act No. 171 mandated that all future constructions within Intramuros adhere to Spanish colonial architectural styles, aiming to preserve the district’s historic character.

World War II and Aftermath

The district suffered significant damage during World War II. In December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the Philippines, destroying Santo Domingo Church and the original University of Santo Tomas campus.

The battle for Manila’s liberation began in January 1945 when American forces, along with Filipino troops from the United States Army and Philippine Commonwealth Army, engaged in intense urban combat against approximately 30,000 Japanese defenders. The battle, marked by heavy fighting and the Manila massacre perpetrated by Japanese troops, led to extensive damage to the city.

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Spanish Colonial Era

Fortifications and Architecture

Key Landmarks

American Rule

World War II and Aftermath

Post-War Restoration and Preservation Efforts

Legacy of Religious and Political Significance

Preservation of Heritage and Modern Use

LOCATIONS PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE

CHURCHES FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

LOCATIONS
PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE

CHURCHES
FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS &
EVENTS