Intramuros - the Walled City of Manila

Intramuros (Latin: within the walls) is the historic centre and oldest district of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Also known as the Ciudad Murada (Walled City) because of its most famous feature: a nearly three-mile-long circuit of massive stone walls and fortifications that almost completely surrounds the entire district. From the city’s foundation in 1571 to the end of Spanish rule in 1898, Intramuros was Manila.

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The Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi laid the foundations of the new capital on the former site of Maynilad, a palisaded riverside settlement ruled by a native chieftain. To protect the inhabitants from attack, in the late 1500s construction began on a series of stone walls and fortifications that would eventually enclose a pentagonal area approximately 0.67 sq km in size, within which lay a tight grid-like system of streets and a main square surrounded by government structures. The defensive curtain was more or less completed by the 1700s, although improvements and other construction work continued well into the next century.

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Within the protective walls rose a city of stone palaces, churches, monasteries, convents, schools, and fine courtyard houses. In the centuries that followed, Manila (meaning Intramuros) served as the capital of the Spanish East Indies – the centre of commerce, education, government, and religion in Spain’s most distant imperial possession.

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Except for a brief period under British rule (1762-1764), Intramuros remained a Spanish city until 1898, when the U.S. took control of the Philippines at the end of the Spanish-American War.

In 1945, during the fierce Battle of Manila between American, Filipino and Japanese forces, Intramuros was almost completely destroyed. Instead of rebuilding on the same site, many of the religious orders and educational institutions that once resided in the walled district packed up and moved elsewhere.

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Although steps were taken to protect the city’s historic character, vague laws and poor enforcement led to many unsightly modern buildings being built upon the ruins of the old. In 1979, the Intramuros Administration was established and stronger measures introduced in order to preserve what was left.

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Featured Intramuros Attractions

Fort Santiago

Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip to Intramuros, Fort Santiago was one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros started in 1571 and

Club Intramuros Golf Course

A few years after the Americans took over from the Spanish in 1898, the fetid, swamp-like moat around Intramuros was drained and filled in. The newly

Governor’s Palace (Palacio del Gobernador)

This eight-storey office building was erected in the late 1970s on the site of the Spanish Governor-General’s official residence, which

Manila Cathedral

The Cathedral for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila is a minor basilica in the capital of the Philippines. The Manila Cathedral, located

San Agustin Church

San Agustin Church is a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros

Intramuros Attractions

Casa Manila Museum

Casa Manila is a museum offering a glimpse of during the Spanish Colonial Era of the Philippines. It is located within the walls of Intramuros,

Postigo del Palacio

Built in 1662, renovated 1782-83. On 30 Dec 1896, national hero Jose Rizal was taken through this gate en route to the place of his execution, in what

Fort Santiago

Marking its entrance at the northwestern tip to Intramuros, Fort Santiago was one of the oldest fortifications of Intramuros started in 1571 and

Plaza San Luis

Named after one of the barrios of old Intramuros, this is a cultural-cum-commercial complex currently composed of five houses: Casa Manila, Casa

Baluarte de San Diego

Dating from the 17th century, this formidable bastion surrounds the remains of the round fort of Nuestra SeÃ±ora de Guia, the first stone fort

Puerta de Isabel II

Built in 1861, this was the last gate to be opened in Intramuros’ walls under Spanish rule. A fine statue of Queen Isabel II of Spain stands

Plaza Moriones

ocated in front of Fort Santiago, this is where the Galeria de la Revolucion Filipina is situated

Plazuela de Sta. Isabel

A memorial monument of the civilian victims of World War II can be found here.

Light and Sound Museum

Using images, sounds, and animatronics, the museum takes visitors on a journey through Philippine history under Spanish rule. The facility is

San Agustin Museum

Adjacent to the San Agustin Church, this museum is very impressive – if rather poorly labeled – collection includes Spanish colonial-era

Intramuros – the Walled City of Manila

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