Intramuros, the Medieval Manila

Intramuros, the Medieval Manila

Intramuros (“within the walls”, “Walled City”)

Long before the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, villages abounded in the banks of the Pasig River. One of these was a barricaded fort called Maynila, ruled by a native chieftain Rajah Solaiman.

Peace in the thriving community is shattered upon the arrival of the Spaniards led by Martin de Goiti and later by the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

On June 24,1571, Legazpi founded the city Manila on the site of the old settlement and the city became the seat of Spanish sovereignty for over three hundred years.

Threats of invasion by Chinese and Japanese pirates led to the construction of defenses with high stone walls, bulwarks, and moats. The area was consisted of churches, palaces, schools, and government buildings. It served as the political, cultural, educational, religious, and commercial center of Spain’s empire in the far East.

• The walls suffered heavy damage and valuable properties were looted when the British invaded Intramuros in 1762 and they ruled for almost two years before returning it to Spain.
• Intramuros was surrendered after a mock battle between the Spanish and Americans in 1898. Major portions of the walls including two gates were destroyed to make way for roads to Intramuros.
• The Fort Santiago became a hell house where the Japanese army tortured and killed hundreds of hapless civilians and guerillas. For three years, fear and death stalked the walled city.
• After surviving countless of earthquakes, typhoons, fires, and wars, the Intramuros took the death blow when the Americans liberated the Philippines from the Japanese in 1945. Artillery shells reduced the walls and buildings to ashes. Thousands died during the eight-day siege. Army Historian Robert R. Smith wrote: “That the artillery had almost razed the ancient Walled City could not be helped. To the XIV Corps and the 37th Division at this state of the battle for Manila, American lives were understandably far more valuable than historic landmarks. The destruction stemmed from the American decision to save lives in a battle against Japanese troops who had decided to sacrifice their precious lives dearly as possible.” When it was over, Intramuros was a dead city.

Filipinos lost an irreplaceable cultural and historical treasure in the resulting carnage and devastation of Manila, remembered today as a national tragedy. The cultural patrimony (art, literature, especially architecture) of the Orient’s first truly international melting pot – the confluence of Spanish, American and Asian cultures – was eviscerated. Manila, once the “Pearl of the Orient” and famed as a living monument to the meeting of Asian and European cultures, was virtually wiped out.

On April 10, 1979, Presidential Decree 1616 created the Intramuros Administration (IA) to undertake the restoration and development of Intramuros as a monument to the Spanish period in the Philippine history. IA was attached to the Department of Tourism in 1987.

Today, efforts to preserve the Walled City and revive the illustrious past are stronger than ever. The present generation of Filipinos has come to realize its value as a national heritage. As in the days of our forefathers, Intramuros is a priceless treasure to be shared with the world.

Visit Intramuros with your family and friends and I guarantee that it will be one the most amazing adventures of your lives. It’s more fun in the Philippines.

For more information and inquiries:

Intramuros Visitors Center tel. (632) 527-2961

Intramuros Administration: 5/F Palacio del Gobernador, cor. A. Soriano Jr. Ave. and Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Tel: (632) 527-4084 / 527-4088

Email: tourism@intramuros.gov.ph

Facebook: Intramuros Administration

Twitter: @Intramuros

References: Pamphlets given by the Intramuros Visitors Center