Intramuros

Intramuros is the historic walled city in Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines, covering 64 hectares along the Pasig River and Manila Bay. Built by the Spanish in the late 16th century, it served as the center of colonial government, religion and commerce for over 300 years. Notable for its stone walls, bastions, churches and plazas, it houses Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and Casa Manila, reflecting Spanish colonial architecture and heritage.

Visitors can expect to explore a 64-hectare walled district with preserved stone walls, gates, bastions and cobblestone streets. The area contains Spanish-era churches including San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, forts such as Fort Santiago and Baluarte de San Diego, plazas, museums like Casa Manila, and gardens. Visitors can walk or bike along the walls, join guided or bamboo bike tours, visit museums, and see horse-drawn kalesa carriages. Individual sites have separate opening hours and fees while the district itself is openly accessible.

Founded in 1571 by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, Intramuros was the seat of Spanish colonial government in the Philippines for over 300 years. Construction of the stone walls began in 1590 under Governor Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas to protect the city from invasions. It served as the political, religious and military center during the Spanish era, was heavily damaged during World War II in the 1945 Battle of Manila, and was later restored as a historic district.

Intramuros represents the center of Spanish colonial culture and Catholic heritage in the Philippines. It contains San Agustin Church, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Baroque Churches of the Philippines, and Manila Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila. The district preserves Spanish colonial urban planning, architecture and religious traditions and is managed by the Intramuros Administration as a national historic landmark.