As the Christmas vacation was on & the AIM classes were off, we tried to make the most of it. On 27th Dec, we and the Chisti family visited Intramuros in old Manila. Intramuros is a Spanish word meaning a city inside walls (intra=within & muros=murals or walls).It is the ancient ‘Walled City’ of Manila!
Legend has it that Raja Sulayman, a native chieftain, ruled over the Filipino communities who lived along the banks of the Pasig River. The settlement was protected by palisades and forts. One of those was called Maynilad (later known as Manila). The place became a busy trade centre for Asian goods. However, the Spanish invasion shattered the settlement. The fort was burnt twice, once by the Spaniards & later by the natives before they left the area to the foreigners. In 1571, the Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez di Legazpi founded the city of Manila on the site of the old settlement. High stone walls & bulwarks were constructed to defend the city from the Chinese & the Japanese pirates. The walls enclosed a pentagonal area of nearly 64 hectares. There were residences, churches, palaces schools & govt. buildings within the walled city. Entry could be made only through gates with drawbridges that were closed before midnight.
Intramuros thus became the political, cultural, educational, religious as well as commercial centre of Spain in the Far East. Several other European powers were driven off Philippine waters while the walls protected the city. In 1762, the British invasion of Intramuros damaged the walls and valuable properties were looted. In 1898, the Americans arrived in the Philippines and the Spanish surrendered Intramuros after a mock battle. The Filipinos began a new lifestyle under the new colonial rulers. A major portion of the walls including two gates were destroyed to make way for roads in Intramuros.
With the outbreak of WW II, Intramuros fell into Japanese hands. Fort Santiago became a terror chamber where Japanese army tortured & killed hundreds of innocent civilians. For three years, fear & death loomed over Intramuros. In 1945, the Americans liberated the Philippines from the Japs. During the 8 day siege, thousands lost their lives & Intramuros too received its death blow. Artillery shells reduced most of the buildings & walls into ashes.
The USA recognized Philippines as an independent nation in 1946, but Intramuros was already a dead city. It became a wasteland occupied by squatters & warehouse owners. The city never sprung back to life. In 1979, a Presidential decree created the Intramuros Administration to restore &develop the walled city as a historic site & tourist destination.
The major attractions inside Intramuros include the San Augustine Church & Convent (oldest in Philippines), the Manila cathedral, Fort Santiago (site of the original settlement of Raja Sulaiman), Plaza de Roma, Plaza San Luis complex among others. The Casa Manila Museum takes one back to the Spanish era. The museum depicts the interior décor, furniture & clothes used by Filipinos during the Spanish period. The luxurious Filipino lifestyle in Intramuros between the 17th and 19th centuries is well preserved in Casa Manila Museum.
Having walked back in time through the cobbled streets of the amazing walled city, we tried a Calesa ride. The Calesa is a horse drawn carriage like a Tonga, and was a common mode of transport in Intramuros during the olden days. A half hour Calesa ride helped us to see most parts of Intramuros which would not have been possible by taking a walk! The visit was a memorable experience. Intramuros is, indeed, a priceless treasure of the Filipino people.
Legend has it that Raja Sulayman, a native chieftain, ruled over the Filipino communities who lived along the banks of the Pasig River. The settlement was protected by palisades and forts. One of those was called Maynilad (later known as Manila). The place became a busy trade centre for Asian goods. However, the Spanish invasion shattered the settlement. The fort was burnt twice, once by the Spaniards & later by the natives before they left the area to the foreigners. In 1571, the Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez di Legazpi founded the city of Manila on the site of the old settlement. High stone walls & bulwarks were constructed to defend the city from the Chinese & the Japanese pirates. The walls enclosed a pentagonal area of nearly 64 hectares. There were residences, churches, palaces schools & govt. buildings within the walled city. Entry could be made only through gates with drawbridges that were closed before midnight.
Intramuros thus became the political, cultural, educational, religious as well as commercial centre of Spain in the Far East. Several other European powers were driven off Philippine waters while the walls protected the city. In 1762, the British invasion of Intramuros damaged the walls and valuable properties were looted. In 1898, the Americans arrived in the Philippines and the Spanish surrendered Intramuros after a mock battle. The Filipinos began a new lifestyle under the new colonial rulers. A major portion of the walls including two gates were destroyed to make way for roads in Intramuros.
With the outbreak of WW II, Intramuros fell into Japanese hands. Fort Santiago became a terror chamber where Japanese army tortured & killed hundreds of innocent civilians. For three years, fear & death loomed over Intramuros. In 1945, the Americans liberated the Philippines from the Japs. During the 8 day siege, thousands lost their lives & Intramuros too received its death blow. Artillery shells reduced most of the buildings & walls into ashes.
The USA recognized Philippines as an independent nation in 1946, but Intramuros was already a dead city. It became a wasteland occupied by squatters & warehouse owners. The city never sprung back to life. In 1979, a Presidential decree created the Intramuros Administration to restore &develop the walled city as a historic site & tourist destination.
The major attractions inside Intramuros include the San Augustine Church & Convent (oldest in Philippines), the Manila cathedral, Fort Santiago (site of the original settlement of Raja Sulaiman), Plaza de Roma, Plaza San Luis complex among others. The Casa Manila Museum takes one back to the Spanish era. The museum depicts the interior décor, furniture & clothes used by Filipinos during the Spanish period. The luxurious Filipino lifestyle in Intramuros between the 17th and 19th centuries is well preserved in Casa Manila Museum.
Having walked back in time through the cobbled streets of the amazing walled city, we tried a Calesa ride. The Calesa is a horse drawn carriage like a Tonga, and was a common mode of transport in Intramuros during the olden days. A half hour Calesa ride helped us to see most parts of Intramuros which would not have been possible by taking a walk! The visit was a memorable experience. Intramuros is, indeed, a priceless treasure of the Filipino people.
