Intramuros, Manila's 16th Century Walled City


My feet brought me next near another university, the Mapua Institute of Technology where the view atop the walls gave me a perfect picture of the Manila City Hall and the golf course down the walls.

It was already five in the afternoon and I hurried myself down and walked back to the Gen. Luna St. I went straight passing by some antique shops, small museums and old houses, until I reached the San Agustin (St. Augustine) Church. This is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, which was built in 1599. Like the rest of the Intramuros structures it was also destroyed and rebuilt several times, however its 159 original crypt burials within the Sala de Profundis are preserved up to present. A few meters away the same street is the fifth stone church of Manila, the Manila Cathedral. On the left side of the Cathedral is the Palacio Governnador that used to be the governor's seat, but now a home of plenty of private businesses. To preserve its historical value, the building's name was retained.

Crossing the street infront of the Palacio del Gobernador brings you to a walkway leading towards the Fort Santiago. It used to be the dreaded prison of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero, where he spent his last hours before he was executed in Rizal Park. Now, a shrine inside the fort is being maintained in honor of him.

Night was falling so I decided to miss the stroll inside the fort and instead went back to Gen. Luna St. to exit on the same gate I entered. The street lamps were on, and I very much appreciated the beauty of the 19th century-style houses which include the Casa Manila and the Illustrado. The antique shops and art gallery of Casa Manila were already closed that time, while Illustrado was still busy entertaining its regular diners. Behind Casa Manila is the Intramuros Hotel, which by the way I haven't entered yet.

To view more pictures of Intramuros visit these two sites: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/int... http://www.tayabas.com.ph/fort.html

The copyright of the article Intramuros, Manila's 16th Century Walled City in Philippines Getaways is owned by Eva Goyena. Permission to republish Intramuros, Manila's 16th Century Walled City in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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