Why intramuros called the walled city

The double moats that surrounded Intramuros were deemed unsanitary and were filled in with mud dredged from Manila Bay where the present Port of Manila is now located. The moats were transformed into a municipal golf course by the city. Reclamations for the construction of the Port of Manila, the Manila Hotel, and Rizal Park obscured the old walls and skyline of the city from the Manila Bay. The first casualties in Intramuros brought by the war were the destruction of Santo Domingo Church and the original University of Santo Tomas campus during an assault.

In , the battle for the liberation of Manila began when American troops tried to occupy Manila on January Intense urban fighting occurred between the combined American and Filipino troops under the United States Army and Philippine Commonwealth Army including recognized guerrillas, against the 30, Japanese defenders. As the battle continued, both sides inflicted heavy damage on the city culminating with the Manila massacre by Japanese troops. The Imperial Japanese Army was pushed back, eventually retreating into the Intramuros district.

General MacArthur, though opposed to the bombing of the walled city, approved the heavy shelling which resulted in deaths of over 16, Japanese alone within Intramuros. Two of the eight gates of Intramuros were badly damaged by American tanks. During the battle in Manila, over , Filipino men, women and children died from February 3 to March 3, In , Intramuros was declared a historical monument and Fort Santiago, a national shrine with Republic Act , with the policy of restoring, reconstructing, and urban planning of Intramuros.

Several laws and decrees also followed but results were deemed unsatisfactory due to limited funds. Since then, the Intramuros Administration IA has been slowly restoring the walls, the sub-features of the fortification, and the city within.

The entrances made by the Americans by breaching the walls at four locations are now spanned by walkways thereby creating a connection, seamless in design and character to the original walls. Intramuros is the only district of Manila where old Spanish-era influences are still plentiful. Fort Santiago is now a well-maintained park and popular tourist destination.

Adjacent to Fort Santiago is the reconstructed Maestranza Wall, which was removed by the Americans in to widen the wharves thus opening the city to Pasig River. One of the future plans of the Intramuros Administration is to complete the perimeter walls that surround the city making it completely circumnavigable from the walkway on top of the walls.

There has been minimal commercialization occurring within the district, despite restoration efforts. A few fast food establishments set up shop at the turn of the 21st century, catering mostly to the student population within Intramuros. Intramuros is still home to one of the oldest educational institutions in the Philippines, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran founded in , rebuilding its campus in the same location after its destruction during the war.

The University of Santo Tomas UST transferred most of its students to a much larger campus in Sampaloc in because of its growing student population. After the war, the school did not rebuild inside the walled city. I have only recently started working in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the highest cultural government institution in the Philippines. The NCCA is aptly located inside Intramuros, a city in Manila budding with its own manifestations of culture and history.

Walking to the office is always a dream, as I make my way into the city, away from the incessant beeps of smoke-belching jeepneys and the constant rush of everyday life in Manila.

Entering Intramuros through its graying stone arches is like entering a new world, as I am greeted with starkly different architecture from what exists outside the walls. The streets are lined with different-colored buildings, and there are even portions where the roads are still in their original cobblestoned form.

Entering Intramuros from Calle Victoria road. There are kalesas, or horse-drawn carriages that tour tourists around Intramuros for a fee, as well as e-jeepneys the electric version of the famous Filipino mode of public transportation that transport people from one end of the city to the other for a fee of 25 pesos, or 6 canadian cents.

The city is a blend of both the old and the new in just the right places, and as a tourist, these are the first things you will notice apart from its graying walls. A kalesa tours people around the walled city. Intramuros, also known as the Walled City, has stood for centuries. The city was built in the late 16th century as the city that held the seat of power in Manila. You can see that Intramuros has had a very rich history, having been used as a seat of power by different nations at different times.

This is why the blend of culture in the area is astonishingly diverse. Within the walls lie buildings that have retained original designs of Spanish architecture, modern Filipino buildings, and even Chinese museums since the land where Intramuros is in was also a marketplace for Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian trading ships even before Spanish occupation. You can also find Fort Santiago, the fort that held Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, prior to his execution.

This is the Palacio del Gobernador, the former governor general's palace and current Commission on Elections headquarters. Because of this unique blend of culture and history, the walled city has been one of the most popular tourist spots in Manila, primarily because of the many things one can learn about the Philippines through going around it, but also because it is an area so starkly different and unique from the rest of the metro.

A store in Casa Manila, a historic house museum of Spanish Colonial heritage. This is the Manila Cathedral that stands at the heart of Intramuros.

If you need help, the best people to ask are the police and security guards, if available. In terms of environmental dangers, always check the news for weather updates before planning your activities to avoid falling victim to inclement weather.

The horrible traffic congestion in the Philippines is no secret. The best way to keep calm in such situations is to allot at least an hour for land travel if you want to go around Manila. Try to travel during off-peak hours, instead. Aside from your essentials i.

As already mentioned, pack light clothing and comfortable walking shoes. If the weather is going to be sunny, a change of clothes, towels, and lots of drinking water are imperative. However, if you want to also get an overview of its neighboring districts and other parts of Manila, you would want to stay for one more day. Up to now, renovations and improvements are still being made to maintain and reinforce the aesthetics and timelessness of Intramuros.

Intramuros is a constant reminder for Filipinos that there is beauty amidst the chaos—perhaps not in terms of looks, but being able to withstand the harsh conditions of history and time, and to grow from it, are still worth celebrating. It may be a city heavily guarded by fortifications, but its rich history is something that should be placed front and center for the world to see. This is why Intramuros is one of most famous destinations in Manila tours.

Go on a nostalgia trip and see for yourself what makes Intramuros such a unique location. Intramuros tours and activities are available all year round for you to enjoy.

Package Deals. Car rentals. Travel Information. Book your trip now. Guide to the Philippines. By Myjel Alinea Guevarra. Verified Expert. See our popular Intramuros Tours. Best Time to Go to Intramuros While there are destinations in Intramuros that are under a roof, walking or biking around the walled city is still the best way to explore and learn more about its rich history. Dry Season December — May The dry season in the Philippines can mean either cool dry or hot dry, both of which fall between December to May.

Holidays September — December With the majority of the population being of the Catholic faith, the celebration-loving Filipinos go all out for Christmas; so much so, that decorations and Christmas songs abound as early as September. Climate and Weather According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, the climate in the country is divided into two: rainy and dry season.

How to Go to Intramuros Since Intramuros is in the heart of the bustling city of Manila, land transportation is the most convenient means of getting there. By Taxi The easiest and most convenient way to go to Intramuros is by hailing a taxi cab.

From NAIA or other cities in and around Metro Manila There are three kinds of taxis you will find in NAIA: regular white, metered cabs with fixed flag down and per kilometer rates , coupon blue-marked white taxis dispatched by airport personnel with a fixed price , and yellow airport metered taxi with fixed flag down and per kilometer fees that are twice the price of the regular.

See our popular Manila Transfers. From Clark and other neighboring provinces Nearby provinces all have bus lines that stop or pass through Manila. By Car Booking App An excellent alternative to hailing a cab is to book a car through the ride-hailing app Grab. By Private Car Getting a car rental in Manila and driving yourself is possible.

Getting Around Intramuros Despite its relatively small land area approximately 67 hectares , it can still get tiring to explore the entirety of Intramuros in one day on foot. Pedicabs Pedicabs are almost similar to tricycles, but think bicycle instead of a motorcycle. E-trike If the kalesa ride lets you experience the golden years of the humble carriage, then a ride in the modern e-trike should snap you right back into the present time. Bamboo Bike Photo by Travels With A Hobo While it does sound like fun to roam around Intramuros on a bike—one made of bamboo, to boot—the only way to do so is to join an Intramuros tour.

Where to Stay in Intramuros Photo by Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros Because the space inside Intramuros is somewhat limited, it only makes sense that only a few accommodations will be available for those who would like to stay within the walls for the entirety of their trip—some are even on the pricey side.

Types of Accommodations There is a lot of activity happening in Intramuros, Manila, or just about any district or city in the Metro. Hotels Both budget and high-end hotels can be found here in Manila—in fact, Manila Hotel, one of the most prominent names in luxury accommodations—is very close to Intramuros.

Neighborhoods and Areas Intramuros is one of the 16 administrative city districts of Manila and belongs to the fifth of the six congressional districts. Ermita Ermita is a district of significance not only because it is the civic seat of Manila, but also because it is a vast financial, educational, cultural, and commercial hub. Accommodation Highlights Because Manila is one of the centers of tourism in the country, hotels and other accommodations in the city make sure that their guests are well-taken care of.

Hotel H2O Photo by Hotel H2O Located on the waterfront and just beside the Manila Ocean Park, Hotel H2O is a few minutes away from Intramuros but is an ideal accommodation for those who also want to explore other parts of Manila, especially those bringing along their children. Luneta Hotel Photo by Luneta Hotel The hotel itself is a historic landmark that has since undergone countless renovations.

Manila Hotel Photo by Manila Hotel Perhaps one of the most prominent five-star hotels in the Philippines, Manila Hotel has been the home to Filipino elites and International names alike. See our popular Fort Santiago Tours. Marvel at the architecture and faith within the churches As the Spaniards were responsible for the burgeoning of Christianity in the Philippines, it also made sense for Intramuros to house a few churches where the colonizers living inside can continue practicing their faith.

See our popular Manila Tours. Light and Sound Museum In this interactive museum, visitors can experience Philippine history under the Spanish rule and the life of Rizal through images, sounds, and animatronics. Bahay Tsinoy Here, you get to learn the history and contributions of the Chinese-Filipino community, including those who aided the Filipinos revolution against the Spaniards.

Casa Manila Video by the Philippine Department of Tourism The place can be best described as a recreation of the home of a typical upper-class family in the 18th century, or the Ilustrados. What to Eat and Drink in Intramuros When in Intramuros, dining is more about the ambiance and overall experience rather than the diversity and creativity in food choices.

Recommended Best Restaurants and Bars Outside of the colonial-era inspired restaurants, and fast-food or hole-in-the-walls that cater to the hunger pangs of the students from nearby campuses, there are other food stops in Intramuros that you can try.

Practical Information and Tips Much like traveling anywhere in the world, planning your itinerary for Intramuros also requires a lot research beforehand. Language The national language Filipino is the most common language spoken here, though you may expect to find a few people who can also speak other Philippine dialects.

Currency Understandably, you will need to check your foreign currency exchange first before traveling to the Philippines. Safety Tips Filipinos are friendly and hospitable, but just like any other place, there are a few rotten apples among the bunch, too.

Public Transportation Tips The horrible traffic congestion in the Philippines is no secret. What to Pack Aside from your essentials i. It also has a theatre called Dulaang Rajah Soliman for cultural and art performances. A white cross stands amid the manicured gardens in memory of Filipino freedom fighters.

For locals, it is a quiet escape where they can enjoy the vintage architecture and ruins, bask in the sunny plazas and enjoy an old favorite restaurant once more. For hundreds of years, Intramuros was Manila itself. Indeed, you cannot be in Manila without visiting the Walled City of Intramuros. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements.

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