Paru-Parong Kalye: Traveling Back in Time, Intramuros-Manila Ocean Park

Intramuros is the oldest district and historic core of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Nicknamed the Walled City, the fortified Intramuros was the seat of government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros, literally means "within the walls"

HISTORY

The planning of the city of Manila was commenced by Santiago de Vera, the sixth governor-general on the islands. The plans for Intramuros were approved by King Philip II of Spain's Royal Ordinance issued in San Lorenzo, Spain.

Gomez Perez Dasmarinas, the next governor, brought with him from Spain the royal instructions to carry into effect the above decree. Hence the work began in 1590 and continued under many governors till 1872. As this construction was carried on during different periods, often far apart, the building was not executed, therefore, according to any uniform plan.

Gov. Juan de Silva executed certain work on the fortifications in 1609 which was improved by Juan Niño de Tabora in 1626, and again improved by Diego Fajardo Chacón in 1644, the erection of the San Diego Bastion (Baluarte de San Diego) being completed in that year. This bastion shaped like an "ace of spades" is the southernmost point of the wall and appears to have been the first of the large bastions added to the encircling walls, then of no great height nor of finished construction. It was the former site of Nuestra Señora de Guia, the very first stone fort of Manila.

In 1951, Intramuros was declared as a historical monument and Fort Santiago, a national shrine with Republic Act 597, with the policy of restoring, reconstructing, and urban planning of Intramuros. Several laws and decrees also followed but results were deemed unsatisfactory due to limited funds.

In 1979, the Intramuros Administration was created by virtue of Presidential Decree no. 1616, signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos on April 10 of that year. Since then, the Intramuros Administration (IA) has been slowly restoring the walls, the sub-features of the fortification, and the city within. The remaining five original gates have been restored or rebuilt: Isabel II Gate, Parian Gate, Real Gate, Sta. Lucia Gate and the Postigo Gate. The four entrances made by the Americans by breaching the walls at four locations are now spanned by walkways thereby creating a connection, seamless in design and character to the original walls.

In 2003, during the Visit Philippines Year, Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon cleaned up Intramuros with the help of student and civilian volunteers as well as raised funds to improve the lighting of the place and build a lights-and-sound museum.

(Above information cited from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intramuros)

Last February, my BF and I decided to go to Intramuros to celebrate our 8^th monthsary and Valentines Day. Below is our itinerary:

INTRAMUROS DAY TOUR (SUNDAY)

8:00 am to 8:30 am – Travel from Ortigas to Quiapo. (FX fare is 45.00, near SM megamall)

8:30 am to 9:30 am – Quiapo church, buy salted egg and tomatoes, food for lunch. (You can try Ma Mon Luk’s Mami and siopao)

9:30 am to 10:00 am – Travel to Intramuros. (jeep fare is 8.00 each, in front of Quiapo church)

10:00 am to 2:30 pm – Intramuros Tour (Walking tour)

Manila Cathedral

San Agustin Church

Casa Manila (Entrance is 75.00)

Fort Santiago

Rizal Shrine (Where you can see furniture and other belongings of Rizal Family, entrance is less than 50.00 –forgot the exact amount)

Rizal Museum (Expect seeing artworks of Rizal, his portraits, and portraits of almost all of his girlfriends, entrance is less than 50.00 –forgot the exact amount)

INTRAMUROS