INTRAMUROS
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.
Understand
From the city's foundation in 1571 to the end of Spanish rule in 1898, Intramuros was Manila.
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.
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.
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. 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. IA was founded by Imelda Marcos.
Many of the city's ancient gates and most of the walls have since been restored. On the other hand, there has been almost no progress in the reconstruction of key landmarks (such as major churches and old government buildings), due in part to a serious lack of funds and the existence of new structures.
Before the American Era, entrance to the city was through eight gates or Puertas namely (clockwise, from Fort Santiago) Puerta Almacenes, Puerta de la Aduana, Puerta de Santo Domingo, Puerta Isabel II, Puerta del Parian, Puerta Real, Puerta Sta. Lucia, and Puerta del Postigo. * PUERTA REAL (PLM)
The original Real Gate (Royal Gate) was built in 1663 at the end of Calle Real de Palacio (now General Luna St.) and was used exclusively by the Governor-General for state occasions. It was located west of Baluarte de San Andres and faced the old village of Bagumbayan. It was destroyed during the British invasion of 1762 along with the removal of the village. The Puerta Real was rebuilt in 1780 and moved further west to its present location. During the Battle of Manila, the gate was damaged. It was restored in 1969 with additional work made in 1989.
The place used to be an audience hall for state occassions during Spanish colonial era, Manila aquarium during American occupation and a prison cell and barrack during Japanese occupation. * BALUARTE SAN DIEGO
Located along the walls of Intramuros, Manila, it was designed and built by Jesuit priest Antonio Sedeno from 1586 to 1587 and it is one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros. Began as a circular fort called Fort Nuestra Senora de Guia, renovated in 1593 to join the walls of the city. Fort fell in disrepair and in 1644 construction began for a new Baluarte which was completed between 1653 and 1663. Resembling an ace of spades, it housed a foundry during the 18th century.
The site is currently maintained as an archipelago site and gardens and pergola were added to make Baluarte de San Diego more appealing to visitors and more suitable for special occasions. It is open to the public but may be rented for private functions.
Baluarte de San Diego was breached by British forces in 1762 and it was restored and strengthened when the Spaniards returned, but was damaged and abandoned after the 1862 earthquake. It was totally destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945 but the restoration began in 1979 and it was completed in 1992. Though one will notice that the structure is very old and has molds on it but it preserves the glory of history in it. By the way watch out for flying golf balls since the place is just beside the Intramuros Golf Course. * STA. LUCIA CUARTEL
Facing Malecon Drive, Puerta de Santa Lucia is one of several gates passing through the Intramuros walls. First built in 1603, Puerta de Santa Lucia leads directly to Malecon Drive, a popular promenade ground, through a restored cobblestone bridge.
Passersby get a close-up look at the thick stone walls and moats that skirt Intramuros' borders. Once upon a time, Intramuros was Manila - no one could enter but the Spanish, their servants, and mestizos (half-Spanish Filipinos). Outside Manila lived Filipinos and Chinese merchants. The latter were forced to live in a ghetto that was conveniently located within range of Intramuros' cannons, in case the Chinese revolted against Spanish rule.
It was a Spanish artillery regiment and office of Guardia Civil Veterana. * GALERIA DE LOS PRESIDENTES
List of Presidents: Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel L. Quezon, Jose P. Laurel, Sergio Osmeña, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino * Calle Anda, named after the great Governor-General Simón de Anda who refused to surrender to the British forces who invaded our country in 1762. Instead, he waged a guerrilla warfare against them. Without a shadow of a doubt, de Anda is one of the greatest Filipino leaders of all time. * ATENEO DE MANILA
The word and name Ateneo is the Spanish form of Athenæum, which the Dictionary of Classical Antiquities defines as the name of "the first educational institution in Rome" where "rhetoricians and poets held their recitations."[78] Hadrian’s school drew its name from a Greek temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The said temple, according to the Encyclopædia Britannica, was where "poets and men of learning were accustomed to meet and read their productions."
Rizal in Ateneo
At first Father Magin Fernando, who was the college registrar, denied them of admittance for two reasons: 1.) he was late for registration and 2.) he was sickly and undersize for his age. Jose Rizal was then eleven years old. However, they sought the intercession of Manual Xerez Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos. As a result, he was reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo. As a newcomer and knowing little Spanish, he was considered as inferior and placed at the bottom of the class. He was an externo hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians, an occupant of the end of the line. He proved he was no inferior for at the end of the month he became the emperor and received a prize, a religious picture.
Although there was a great improvement in his performance but his previous years of performance made a great effect, he graduated on March 23, 1877 (16 years old) and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors and not a valedictorian. * UST INTRAMUROS
But this journey would not have been possible in the first place had it not been in the will of Manila’s 3rd Archbishop Miguel de Benavides that he would bequeath his library and property for the establishment of an educational institution. It would be 6 years after his death in 1605, that this dream was fully realized with the founding of what was then known as the Colegio Seminario de Santo Tomas del Nuestro Señora del Santo Rosario dedicated to St. Thomas Aquinas, the medieval theologian of the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Miguel de Benavides
Benavides, who himself is from the Dominican Order, wanted the school to be located near the Dominican church and convent that is to be the Sto. Domingo Church and Convent which was located at the time within the walls of Old Manila AKA Intramuros. The seminary college would thrive to become a university in 1645, and for almost 300 years, the university would oversee a growing student population and opening new degrees of learning. the old UST campus in Intramuros
Right across the campus, the Dominicans built a sprawling plaza aptly named Plaza Santo Tomas with its centerpiece landmark added soon after: the monument of Fr. Benavides that was erected in 1889.
Plaza Santo Tomas in the 19th century; UST is located on the left of the photo with Santo Domingo Church in the background
By the time of the university’s tricentennial, it was clear that UST’s Intramuros campus could no longer meet its growing needs. A decision was made to move to a bigger campus up north to what was then a hilly terrain in Manila’s Sampaloc district called Sulucan Hills. In 1927, the Sampaloc campus was opened with most of the university’s population and programs making the move there. Only the classes in Civil Law and Medicine would remain in Intramuros.
It would be the destruction brought about by World War II in the Philippines that would put an end to presence of UST in Intramuros as the bombs destroyed the historic campus into rubble as with most of Intramuros. The Dominicans never bothered to have the Intramuros campus rebuilt. Instead, they decided to rebuild some of these relics to be transferred to the Sampaloc site: namely, the Benavides monument and the old campus’ arched entrance that would later be known as the Arch of the Centuries.
Intramuros mostly in ruins after World War II; the old UST campus there was not spared
Today, an office building belonging to a controversial bank now stands where the old University of Santo Tomas once stood. It is unfortunate that no visible marker can be seen to let people know about the history there. Don’t even get me started on the inappropriateness of the architecture of the building there.
BF Condominium Bldg. now standing at the site of the old UST * CASA MANILA
Casa Manila was destroyed during the Second World War and stepping into its massive stone walls and cold stone flooring is like stepping back into time. The structure in itself gives you that “feel” of living in a Filipino house or residence way back in the 19th century. This Spanish colonial home was rebuilt by the former first lady Imelda Marcos during the 1980’s to help Filipinos appreciate their heritage and to assist tourists to better understand the history and development of the Philippine culture.
It’s a recreation of a typical upper-class colonial Intramuros home. The interiors are filled with antique furniture, artwork, and other artifacts from the Spanish era, all carefully arranged to illustrate what life was like for wealthy families of that period. * PALACIO GRANDE * KING CARLOS IV OF SPAIN - This bronze statue was cast in 1808 and erected in 1824 as a tribute for his having sent the first smallpox vaccine to the Philippines. * Calle Santa Potenciana is the oldest street in Intramuros. * PLAZUELA STA. ISABEL
This park holds a memorial built to commemorate the thousands of civilians massacred within Intramuros by desperate Japanese forces during the Battle of Manila in February 1945. The statue depicts St. Isabel caring for wounded during the battle of Intramuros. * SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH
San Agustin Church originally known as "inglesia de San Pablo", founded in 1571 is the oldest stone church (built in 1589) in the Philippines. It is a administered by the Order of Saint Agustine (Augustinian Friars). Since the time of its foundation, the devotion to Nuestra Senora dela Consolacion y Cirrea is celebrated every Saturday.In this Church - tomb of "El Adelentado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi" Founder of the City of Manila is located in the eastermost chapel of the transept. Terms for the American occupation of Manila was signed in the sacristy and First Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1953 was held in the Choirloft.
Declared by UNESCO as World Heritage site in 1993. * MANILA CATHEDRAL
The Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) in Intramuros is currently the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila. It was the seat of the Archbishop of Manila during the Spanish Colonial Period in the Philippines, and still remains to be the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The cathedral was destroyed five times since its inception in 1581.The first cathedral, made of nipa and bamboos, was built in 1581. It was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and razed by fire in 1583. It was rebuilt in 1592 but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1600. It was rebuilt for the third time, with three naves and seven chapels, in 1584 and blessed in 1614. It was toppled by another earthquake in 1645. Again, it was rebuilt but was severely damaged in 1863 by another strong earthquake. In 1880, another earthquake destroyed most of the cathedral including its huge bell tower. The fifth cathedral was constructed in 1870-1879. It was solemnly blessed in December of 1879 with the center cross of the dome being a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. Alas, the magnificent cathedral was once again destroyed during World War II.
The present cathedral was constructed in 1954 to 1958 under Archbishop Rufino Santos of Manila and under the supervision of National Artist for Architecture, Fernando Ocampo. It was elevated into the rank of Basilica Minore in 1981 by Pope John Paul II.
Incidentally, the cathedral is also the resting place for Jaime Cardinal Sin, considered to be one of the leaders of the Edsa Revolution. * COLEGIO DE STA. POTENCIANA
Royal College of Santa Potenciana: The oldest school for young girls, its was established in 1589 by Philip II upon the urging of Manila bishop, Domingo de Salazar, OP and the Franciscans. In 1592, the school drew up its charter, citing the reason for its foundation: the lack of educational opportunity for girls in a land that need it. Two years later, the school opened its doors to students.
Capitán Luis de Vivanco donated the original site for the college, where wooden house was built as dwelling and school for orphaned girls. The college had apparently improved its buildings subsequently because it is reported that in 1645 an earthquake had destroyed the college, apparently made of stone. By the 17th century, the school had transferred to the corner of Cabildo and Sta. Potenciana; this is indicated in the Muñoz map of 1671. By the end of the 18th century, a new structure had to be constructed it was in ruins because according to Zuñiga it was poorly built in the first place. * MANILA BULLETIN
It is the Philippines' largest broadsheet newspaper by circulation, followed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. It bills itself as "The Philippines' Leading National Newspaper", which is its official slogan. Founded in 1900 as a shipping journal, it is the second-oldest Philippine newspaper, second only to The Manila Times. The Manila Bulletin is the Philippine's newspaper of record. The newspaper was originally owned by a Swiss expatriate named Hans Menzi. Its name was changed from Bulletin Today on March 12, 1986.
The newspaper is owned by Filipino-Chinese business mogul Emilio Yap, who, aside from the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation (the paper's controlling company), also owns the Manila Hotel, Centro Escolar University and Euro-Phil Laboratories. * PNTC (PHILIPPINE NAUTICAL TRAINING COLLEGES known for College of Maritime Studies
BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) ; BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) * BAY LEAF
The Bayleaf Intramuros recently won, on its first year, the coveted Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award for 2013 and Agoda’s prestigious 2012 Gold Circle Award.
Within the protective three mile-long circuit of massive stone walls rose a city of churches, palaces, museums, fine courtyards and finally, The Bayleaf Intramuros. Launched in November 2011, this boutique hotel promises a restful experience for its guests given its 5 star quality beddings, room amenities and a spacious bathroom.
Three dining options inside the hotel will certainly add up to the beautiful experience.
A penthouse All Day Dining restaurant with a panoramic view of the city.
A must visit al fresco, roof deck View Bar strategically located for an unobstructed viewing of the skyline, the bay and the famous Manila sunset.
Lastly, a charming Churros Café on the hotel’s ground floor for a quick dose of great coffee and churros pairing, classic home- made sandwiches and pastries plus an array of sweet selections created by the hotel’s pastry chefs and the Culinary School students.
Banquet hall and meeting rooms for your social or business events
For our guests’ business and social needs, we have 5 modern meeting rooms with high end audio and video set up. For larger events, The Muralla Ballroom has a capacity of 300 persons or it can be divided into three smaller events place. Exclusive access to a terraza overlooking the historic Intramuros wall is also provided. * PLM (PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
At the site now occupied by PLM was situated the Colegio de Manila, a.k.a. Colegio Maximo de San Ignacio, the first college run by the Jesuits in the Philippines and founded in 1590 by Fr. Antonio Sedeño, S.J. It was the first school in the Philippines and formally accepted students in 1595.
On 01 April 1967, PLM formally occupied and took over the land and building vacated by the Manila High School which President Diosdado P. Macapagal sought to grant to PLM under Presidential Proclamation No. 392-A dated 24 April 1965 to spur the renaissance of a new era of educational excellence.
* PLM is Manila's golden star in excellence!
With 95.45% passing rate in the Dec 2012 Nurse licensure exam, the College of Nursing is this year's 3rd top Nursing school nationwide and the only one from Metro Manila. * MAPUA
MIT is a non-sectarian institute for higher learning pioneering in technical education. Initially located on Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Manila, it started out as a night school, with 80 students enrolled in civil engineering and architecture.
It was founded by the first registered Filipino architect, Don Tomás Mapúa in 1925, a graduate of Cornell University. After he died, the tradition was continued by his children, Don Óscar B. Mapúa Sr., a graduate in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Gloria Mapúa-Lim.
Today, MIT is the biggest engineering school in the Philippines, with at least 15,000 students. The Institute is a reputable source of architects, engineers, and science graduates and constantly produces top notchers in the architectural and engineering fields. * LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY
Lyceum of the Philippines University prides itself with its long and rich tradition of Academic Excellence through the legacy of its founder, Dr. Jose P. Laurel. The only president to have served in all three branches of the Government, Dr. Laurel was a successful lawyer, legislator, constitutionalist, jurist, writer, scholar, statesman, philosopher, and above all things, an educator. Dr. Laurel’s concern for education was his most abiding passion.
Lyceum of the Philippines University (then still a college) formally opened its doors to the public on July 7, 1952.
Other Branches : Makati, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite * COLEGIO DE SAN JUAN DE LETRAN
The name San Juan de Letran was inspired from the major basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, mother of all Christian churches. Early in the history of the College, its chapel was granted many of the privileges enjoyed by the major Basilica. Saint John the Baptist for whom the Basilica is named, is also the patron saint of the College.
In 1690, Letran was declared as an ecclesiastical college. * PUERTA DEL PARIAN
The gate was named after the "Parian de Arroceros" across the city where Chinese merchants lived. Built in 1593, it is one of the earliest entrances to Intramuros. It became the official entrance of the Governor-General in 1764, following the destruction of Puerta Real during the British invasion. It was damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Restoration was begun in 1967 and completed in 1982. * ADOLFO LOPEZ MATEOS
Former President Diosdado Macapagal of the Philippines, and former President Adolfo Lopez Mateos of Mexico, installed the Philippine-Mexican Friendship monument here in Manila, as a celebration of 400 years of maritime expedition of the Philippines. This marker may have been celebrating/commemorating the initiation of maritime expedition of the Philippines from Mexico (and eventually conquer the islands and became its colony in the Orient) and the diplomatic and cultural “friendship ties” between the two countries. Without it, the galleon trade wouldn’t have commenced after all. * PLAZA ROMA
During Spanish colonial times, the plaza was the Plaza Mayor of Manila, and was thus considered the center of the city, with bullfights and other public events being held in the plaza until Governor-General Rafael Maria de Aguilar converted it into a garden in 1797. In 1901, with the start of American rule, the plaza was renamed Plaza McKinley, after U.S. President William McKinley, who authorized the colonization of the Philippines by the United States. The plaza was given its current name in 1961, following the elevation of Rufino Santos to the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church as the first Filipino cardinal: in recognition of this, the city of Rome reciprocated by subsequently renaming one of its squares Piazzale Manila. * JONES BRIDGE
It was named as Jones Bridge after former Virginia Rep. William Atkinson Jones, who was the principal author of the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916. The Neoclassical design by Juan M. Arellano was an ornate concrete arch bridge. The entrances to the bridge were bordered by pillars topped with statues. The bridge was destroyed by the bombs of World War II. After the war, the bridge was reconstructed by the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads and then Philippine Bureau of Public Works under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1945.[4] Carrying the name of the bridge, the new span was a simple bridge with metal pole railings, bare in design. The design features from the old bridge that survived the war, were moved to other locations in Manila. * DEL PAN BRIDGE
The last bridge near the mouth of Pasig River is the Roxas Bridge (formerly called Del Pan Bridge) from Tondo to Port Area. * PALACIO DEL GOBERNADOR
Palacio del Gobernador literally translated as Palace of the Governor but correctly known as the Palace of the Governor-Generals is one of the edifices found inside Intramuros. It is a stone throw away from Manila Cathedral and it is fronting Plaza Roma.
The current location of the building once stood the original Palacio del Gobernador. It was a state residence of the Governor-General of the Philippines. The First Palace or Palacio Real was constructed in 1599 near Plaza de Armas (Parade Ground) in Fort Santiago. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1645.
It was later moved to the present site and became the Governor-General’s residence and office as well as the Real Audiencia (Supreme Court). It was then reconstructed in 1733 and 1747. It was damaged by an earthquake in 1771. In 1850, the Spanish-type façade was added to the building then later destroyed in 1863 by an earthquake. It was abandoned by the Governor-General when he moved to Malacañang. * FORT SANTIAGO
It was built to protect from invaders arriving by sea. When Governor Dasmariñas arrived in 1590 he brought instructions from the king of Spain to fortify the place so as to insure it against all attacks by land or sea and at once set about the work.
It was intact until the last days of world war 2 as bombings destroyed most of it during the Battle of Manila in February 1945 when the American forces returned to the Philippines.
Before it became Fort Santiago, It was a kingdom of a Muslim chieftain Rajah Sulaiman, and when the Spanish conqueror (conquistador) Martin de Goiti came and defeated the native settlers, they built the Fuerza de Santiago (Fort Santiago) in 1571 on it's site.
This was the place where Dr. Jose Rizal was detained prior to his execution by the Spaniards at the Luneta in 1898. The building where he was imprisoned is now the Rizal Shrine. Some of his works and the gadgets he used as a doctor are on display inside.