The Walled City: The Homes

written by Aindrean Rudd Mikhail M. Religioso

Brief Overview

"Within the Walls"

Intramuros (Latin for "within the walls") is a0.67 square kilometers historic walled area within the modern City of Manila. It is administered by the Intramuros Administration, which was created through the Presidential Decree No. 1616 signed on April 10, 1979.

The Walled City

Intramuros is also known as the Walled City, and at the time of the Colonial Period was synonymous to the City of Manila. It was the seat of government and political power when the Philippines was a realm of the Spanish Empire. It was also the center of religion, education and economy. The standard way of life in Intramuros became the standard way of life throughout the Philippines.

Overview of the Casa of Intramuros

Wondered how the rich during the Spanish colonial era lived in the Philippines? Then, the homes within the Walled City is a place to see. One of the main attraction of the Intramuros tourist spot is a fully-furnished home-turned-museum that shows how Filipinos lived during the colonial era. While every corner is beautiful, visitors are not allowed to take photos.

When inside, walk only on the carpeted areas so that you do not damage the wooden floors. Of all the luxurious furniture in such homes, the most notable are the toilets. Apparently, in the former days, toilets were built in twos or more to allow people to sit beside each other and chat while they did their business. It also shows how beautiful Intramuros at night is. This spot is also one of the most romantic destinations in Intramuros.



Exteriors Architecture

Center of the Casa Manila

Balconies

The Facts on the Walled City

Construction

Casa Manila was constructed in 1981 under the direction of Arch. Ramon Faustmann and was asked to be constructed by Imelda Marcos within the cite, just like other homes. It was a replica of an 1850s San Nicolas house that once was located in Calle Jaboneros.

It is a lifestyle museum that's aimed to showcase the domestic lifestyle of a native principalia during the Spanish regime. It was frequently visited by students, and tourists, as well as the locals and foreigners alike.

A San Nicolas house, an architectural inspiration to most Casas

Calle Jaboneros

How is it doing today?

When the pandemic struck the world, majority of tourist attractions temporarily closed down for safety reasons. Despite the situation, Intramuros was still one of Asia's leading tourist attractions as it gained momentum during the opening of the Walled City.

A New Look

Recently, such homes were considered to need and imperative refresh in order to revive the interest within and of Las Casas. It was time to turn this into one of the queen of all living museums in the country.

The furnitures remained the same and nothing new were added, but only rearranging and editing such as bringing out antiques long forgotten, antiques that are like glorious treasures.


The sites is based on some references, which includes some mansions of old Spanish-Filipino families who had photographs of their old homes. Places like Casa Manila, unlike other places in the world especially in Europe, the Walled City celebrates the grandeur of Manila. Intramuros itself highlights the ruins and destruction, here it is mostly defeats unlike victories in Europe.

Understanding Las Casas of Intramuros

There usually is excitement upon entering the attractions especially after ones long hiatus to it. When one does walk in, there will be an excitement in spite of having seeing the house seen its better days. One will see a glimpse of the grandeurs that was Manila and the Filipinos ill have the pride of place and will remember that Intramuros and its locations is the soul of Manila.

The things that keeps everyone or the majority fascinated with is because of the romance which exists. The sentiment, and learning the elegant lifestyle of the old Spanish Manila. The sites are an absolute experience, and even for just a visit, it will bring one back to a home in the past of Manila where elegance honor were the norms, and deals were closed with a simple shaking of hands. We should all be proud of the Manila of our pride and history.