An inside look within the walls of Intramuros

Written by: Renz Jason

Overview

Intramuros: A home to Spanish-era landmarks

Intramuros that means "within walls" a fortified city that has 8 feet thick, and 22 feet high of walls. The Intramuros began building on 1521 by the Spaniards after Ferdinand Magellan set foot in Philippines. The city was founded at 1571 and it was between Manila Bay and Pasig River. The Intramuros served many purpose but mainly as a political and military base for the Spaniards, there are many defensive structures that surround the area such as moats, cannons, bulwarks, and javelins. It housed churches, hospitals, government offices, military barracks, schools, and houses of the Spanish elite.

(Manila Cathedral in Nighttime)

(Fort Santiago)

(An area in Intramuros)


Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral built from 1954 and was finished in 1958 under the Filipino Architect Fernando H. Ocampo, after the previous structure destructed during the World War II. The Church is very magnificent from details to the walls, doors, panels, portal, and the stained glass. The cathedral serves as the episcopal seat of the Archbishop of Manila. The cathedral was originally a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on 6 February 1579 upon the issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Præsido by Pope Gregory XIII.[2] The cathedral was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581 while the eighth and current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958.

(Exterior of San Agustin Church)

(Interior of the Manila Cathedral)


Cuartel De Santa Lucia

This place was known as the Mountain Artillery Barracks back during the Spanish colonization built 1781 by the Engineer Thomas Sanz (part of the army during the Administration of Governor General Jose Basco y Vargas). At 1901 it was used by The Philippines Constabulary as a barracks, and became a Philippine Officers School at 1905. However it was destroyed during the World War II and the walls are only what remained of the once was barracks.


Fort Santiago

This fort was used as the headquarters of the armies of several foreign countries. As the city thrive at 1571the fort was beginning to get built by logs as materials. However it got destroyed in 1574 when the Chinese pirate Lin Feng (Limahong) sieged Manila, so due to it's weaknesses it was rebuilt using stone. The now present fort was improved through the use of volcanic tuff between 1589 and 1592. As stated before several foreign countries have used it mainly the Spanish (1571 to 1898), when the Americans colonized us (1898 to 1946), and during the World War 2 when the Japanese occupation came. (1942 through 1945) Presently it is now a National Shrine/ Monument since 1951.


San Agustin Church

Known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin started building in 1595 and was completed at 1607. It is currently 415 years old making it the oldest Church in the Philippine. In it's 400 years of standing it has survived many bombings and earthquakes and has undergone several renovations. In 1762 the British in the Seven Years War looted the Church. In 1898 it was used as a meeting place for the Americans and Spaniards to sign the surrender of ownership to be given to the Americans. During World War II it became a concentration camp for prisoners. The Battle of Manila during 1945 the Japanese held hostages from priests to residents, the American and Filipino Forces devised a plan, an air raid to drive them out and luckily this is one of the few buildings that is left standing.

(Exterior of San Agustin Church)

(Interior of San Agustin Church)

References

Websites, Journals, Articles:
1. https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/ultimate-guides/intramuros-manila-travel-guide
2, https://www.britannica.com/place/Intramuros
3. https://www.afar.com/places/intramuros-manila-2
4. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-history-of-manilas-walled-city-of-intramuros/
5. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/inside-the-walled-city-of-intramuros
6. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=25227
7. https://intramuros.gov.ph/2020/07/12/virtual-tour-fort-santiago/
8. https://www.zenrooms.com/blog/post/san-agustin-church-manila/
9. https://ph.hotels.com/go/philippines/manila-cathedral#:~:text=The%20Manila%20Cathedral%20is%20the,it's%20a%20masterpiece%20of%20architecture.


Pictures, Gifs:
1. https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/291298_268823886550436_1199151680_o.jpg
2. https://images.pond5.com/manila-cathedral-night-intramuros-philippines-085099813_prevstill.jpeg
3. https://i0.wp.com/www.hisour.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Intramuros-Administration.jpg?fit=960%2C640&ssl=1
4. https://www.vigattintourism.com/assets/article_main_photos/optimize/1346059990wNxpPqAx.jpg
5. https://mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/45067.jpeg
6. https://outoftownblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Cathedral-of-Manila-via-Depositphotos.jpg
7. http://images.summitmedia-digital.com/spotph/images/2018/08/03/manila-cathedral-LongRead-Main-inside.jpg
8. http://photos.wikimapia.org/p/00/05/25/22/77_big.jpg
9. https://a.cdn-hotels.com/gdcs/production15/d109/79c9fc0c-2547-4789-bd28-08e234979e12.jpg
10. https://www.thepoortraveler.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/San-Agustin-Church-Interiors-Manila.jpg