Intramuros

Intramuros is the walled city in Manila , Philippines which literally translates as “intra muros” in Latin for “within the walls” meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress. During the Spanish colonial period, it used to be Manila itself.



Intramuros was constructed during the time of López de Legazpi who was the first governor general. It served as the center of political, military and religious power of the Spaniards during the time that the Philippines was a colony of Spain . It was almost in total ruin during World War II when Japanese came in. The only structure that had survived was the San Agustin Church

It was through the direction of Imelda Marcos in 1980’s that the city was restructured. Intramuros is the only district in Manila where old Spanish-era influences were retained.

Present Intramuros houses institutions and other establishments. For instance, the former Santo Domingo Church is now the Bank of the Philippine Islands; San Nicolas de Tolentino now the Manila Bulletin Building; Chapel of the Third Venerable Order now Mapua Chapel; Beaterio-Colegio de Sta. Catalina now is Letran Elementary School;
Palacio de Sta. Potenciana now the Philippine Red Cross and Universidad Maximo de San Ignacio now Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Others remain as ruins like Ayuntamiento and San Ignacio Church

I and my friends visited this nostalgic place. It felt like we have stepped through another time. It's so amazing to realize that such place still exists amidst the busy Manila.



an entrance to the old city



Manila Cathedral


old buildings


coffee shop


calesa


golf course


Baluarte de San Diego Intramuros Manila


Baluarte de San Diego Intramuros Manila


Baluarte de San Diego Intramuros Manila


grassy plain


lover's delight


reference:

http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_tourist_spot/intramuros.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intramuros,_Manila