A Pre-dusk Walk: Intramuros, Manila

Last weekend D and I headed off to the historix walled old city of Intramuros, Manila, inspired by photos I recently saw from a Facebook group I am following. The last time we attempted to walk around it was in December and back then we couldn’t get any parking and found that the museums were closed. They still are to this day, but on that Sunday afternoon D and I found some free parking slots at a government office also located inside Intramuros. We were that determined to get some proper photos of the walled city landmarks.

First stop was the remains of the Aduana Building, also known as Intendencia, which was completed in 1829. It used to house government offices like the Customs. It had been reconstructed after being damaged by an earthquake in 1863, and then again after World War II. It became permanently abandoned in 1979 after being damaged by fire.

• 

• 

We walked along Soriano Avenue and stopped in front of the Plaza Roma for a photo of The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, or the Manila Cathedral. Surrounding Plaza Roma were horse carriages awaiting tourists for a calesa ride around Intramuros. We found from the horsemen that historical Fort Santiago, a defense fortress built in 1593 by Spanish governer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, was still unfortunately closed to the public. I don’t recall ever stepping foot inside the Fort Santiago that’s why I’ve always been so keen on visiting it. Maybe in 2 years’ time…hopefully.

Walking along General Luna Street, we found this sign at the corner of Anda Street saying The Colegio de Santa Isabel (1632-1945) used to stand here. It was destroyed during the World War II. Now this corner serves as a parking lot.

A few hundred meters away at Real Street corner Sta Lucia street and in front of Puerta de Santa Lucia were the walls of the Fray Andres de Urdaneta Garden. Alas, we could not get in, so I just imagined the different generations these walls have witnessed.

Our last stop was a photo of the San Agustin Church before walking back to our car, this time passing through the busy Case Manila. I think there were a lot of tourists even at this time of the day because the Bambike (bike rental) office was also here.

All in all our walk was just a little over an hour. I’ve always been intrigued by Intramuros, as I only went here during school fieldtrips when I was in elementary, and the only vivid memory I have about this historical walled city was when I needed to go to my dad’s office when I was in college, and I ran out of cash so I walked from the Lawton bus station to the Port Area through here. That was back in the 90s, sans smart phones and online maps, and I merely relied on my sense of direction. Ah, I miss those good old simple days.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•