Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Intramuros, which means within the walls in Latin, was completed in the 1700's. In order to protect the inhabitants of the city, they began building a protective wall along Manila Bay and the south of the Pasig River. And, within those walls is Maynila which got its name from the water plants with star-shaped flower that grew along the river banks. May is to have in Filipino and nila is the name of the flower. Now, Maynila is known as Manila and is bigger than the city that it once was.

The Manila Cathedral

The Cardinal Virtue. The stained glass window on the right facade.

Carvings. This wood carving on the door depicts the consecration of the cathedral when it was rebuilt in 1614.

Ateneo De Manila University 
(Before it was destroyed and moved to Quezon City)

Ruins of Baluarte de San Diego

You'll be passing by a garden before you get to the ruins.

Fort Santiago

Jose Rizal. A depiction of Rizal, the Philippines' national hero leaving for Luneta, where he will be executed.

The Rizal Shrine

The Triumph of Science Over Death. A clay statue created by Jose Rizal. 

Jose Rizal. A depiction of Jose Rizal while he was writing his last poem, Mi Ultimo Adios (The Final Farewell) in the cell.

Outside The Walls

After touring Intramuros, we drove by Luneta Park. 

Quick Travel Tips:


Get on a carriage. Touring the city on a kalesa is equivalent to getting on a cyclo to go around Hanoi or a Tuktuk in Thailand. The only difference is that most of the kalesa drivers would have a map and an assortment of pictures to show you where he is taking you and they can speak English well enough to give you details about each place. Remember to bargain and pick someone who has an ID -- It would be easier to get someone who is part of a company with uniform rates.


Bring some change for the entrance fees. The fees range from 2 to 3 dollars.


Go to the Luneta Park to see where Jose Rizal was executed. And, if you get really hooked with this part of the Philippines' history, go to Galleria Taal where they have the only photograph of Jose Rizal being executed.