The cultural wanderer's guide to Intramuros

And then there's Fort Santiago, a structure that served as the headquarters of the Spanish (1571 to 1898), the British (1762 to 1764), the American (1898 to 1946), and the Japanese (1942 to 1945) armed forces. It was also the detention site of Jose Rizal after being seized in Dapitan, right before his execution.

Today, the fort stands as a site for those who would like to remember and learn from the colourful yet ill-fated past of our country. For PHP75, guests can freely roam around the area from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

More from Tatler: Jose Rizal: Discover The Human Side Of The Hero

Refreshers, souvenirs, and mouth-watering meals are also available inside. Launched on March 16, 2023, the famous food lifestyle market Mercato Centrale is open to public from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

In the list below, are the other interesting places that you should also visit other than Manila Cathedral and Fort Santiago. Stop by if you want to make the most out of your trip down memory lane: 

Named after the Parian de Arroceros, [an area adjacent to Intramuros which used to house Chinese merchants in Manila during the Spanish Colonial Period], the Puerta del Parian is one of the earliest entrances to the Walled City. Built in 1593, the passageway was once the official entrance of the Governor-General in 1764 following the destruction of Puerta Real during the British invasion. 

What's around the area? Beyond the passageway, visitors can see the façade of Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), which was founded in 1952 by former Philippine President José P Laurel.

See also: A Visit to El Deposito: Exploring the Historic Water Reservoir in San Juan City

The Parian Mass Grave: Did you know that in 1981, the Intramuros Administration uncovered a huge number of soldiers and civilians' skeletal remains from World War II? Gutted by what they saw, the labourers only resumed work after a priest from Colegio de San Juan de Letran was called to bless the corpses. 

The ECJ building, which is also known as the Casa Nueva or the Provincial House of the Augustinian Order was built in 1895.  The two-storey building was erected to house Adamson University in 1939. It is connected to the San Agustin convent by an ornate covered walkway located in Calle Real. In 1932, the building was destroyed by fire. 

Baluarte de San Gabriel was Intramuros' strongest and most valued defence on its northern front. Built in 1593, this part of the city wall protected the Intramuros' riverside. The Baluarte, which was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945, had undergone a series of renovations since 1989.

What's around the area? Visitors of Baluarte de San Gabriel can see the façade of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a Dominican institution run by the Order of Preachers in Intramuros. It is also the Philippines' oldest college which was founded in 1620, next to its sister-school University of Santo Tomas which is the oldest Catholic university in Asia.

The Aduana, which is also known as the Intendencia, was built between 1823 and 1829. Designed by Tom Cortes, the place is a two-storey governmental structure that features a Neo-Classical design: an emphasised horizontal and symmetrical form on its facade. The custom house was built to attract merchants to remain inside the walls instead of outside. 

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What's around the area? If you ever find yourself tired from all the long Intramuros walks, find refuge in a nearby Starbucks that is just a few steps away from Aduana. As of writing, there are three different Starbucks branches in the Walled City, the other two can be found in Muralla and General Luna streets respectively. 

Related: Inside 7 of the most beautiful Starbucks stores in Asia

The first structure of the Ayuntamiento was built between 1599 to 1607, but it was severely damaged in the earthquakes of 1645 and 1658. Its second building was constructed in 1735 but was once again ravaged by an earthquake in 1863.

Its reconstruction, headed by military engineer Eduardo Lopez Navarro began in 1879 and ended in 1884. 

Read more: 10 Important Monuments in Metro Manila

The Ayuntamiento became the headquarters of the 8th US Army Corps in 1901 and the site of the First Philippine Assembly in 1907 and the Philippine Legislation in 1935. It also housed the Bureau of Justice and Supreme Court offices during the American and Commonwealth period. 

In 1945, the Ayuntamiento was unfortunately destroyed during the Liberation of Manila; today, it was reconstructed to house the offices of the Bureau of the Treasury. 

Did you know? In the 20th century, the Ayuntamiento was dubbed the "Marble Palace" because of its generous use of the said material. Instituto Cervantes de Manila director Archt Javier Galvan, was once quoted saying that the building is one of the most beautiful structures in Manila during the Spanish era. 

What's around the area? The building is only a few walks away from the famed Manila Cathedral and Palacio del Gobernador, which houses the offices of the Intramuros Administration and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

One look and the statue located at the Plazuela de Santa Isabel will remind you of Michelangelo's Pietà. The structure is part of the Santa Isabel College, one of the country's oldest colleges founded as early as 1632. 

The statue remembers the lives lost during the Second World War. 

See also: Exhibition in Fort Santiago, Intramuros Remembers World War II Tragedies

The cobblestones around the Plaza San Luis complex never fail to bring a nostalgic feeling among its visitors. Named after an old town in Manila, the complex is composed of nine different houses that represent different eras of Filipino-Spanish architecture.

Five of the houses namely, Casa Manila, Casa Blanca, Casa Urdaneta, Los Hidalgos, and El Hogar are placed in a single block. Four of the remaining residences have yet to complete their restoration.

Many tourists liken the Plaza San Luis complex to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan.

Related: A Spectacular Night at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Insider tip: At night, the place is filled with bright yellow lights that set up the mood for couples on a date, or those who plan to execute their grand gestures. Dine at the Filipino heritage cafés and restaurants like Barbara's, Katha Kape, Patio de Conchita, and more.  

Wait, there's more: When you feel more adventurous than usual, Bambike Ecotours in Plaza San Luis offers bikes that you and your friends can rent for PHP100 an hour. Visit their website at www.bambike.com/ecotours for more information. 

The San Agustin church and Convent is the oldest church in the Philippines, originally built in 1571, the current building is already the fourth version and was just constructed 17 years after the first one.

The first building succumbed to the damages brought by Chinese pirates in 1571. It was rebuilt a year later and became the venue of the first Diocesan Synod in 1581; unfortunately, the church was ravaged by fire in 1586. 

See also: Marian Shrine in Antipolo Named as the Philippines' First International Shrine

The fourth San Agustin church, which was designed by Juan Macias, was built from 1587 to 1604. In 1762, the church faced yet another problem after it was looted during the British invasion.

Inside the Bahay Tsinoy or the Kaisa Heritage Center is a museum that showcases the tangible imprints and lasting influences of the Chinese. The museum holds life-like dioramas that depict the lives of the early Chinese immigrants whose presence in the country dates back long before the Europeans sought alternate routes to the Moluccas.

More from Tatler: 5 Things You May Not Know About the Chinese-Filipino Community

Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation was initially founded as the Daily Bulletin on February 2, 1900, it is the second-oldest Philippine newspaper, second only to The Manila Times which was established on October 11, 1898. The Manila Bulletin building headquarters, which is located in Muralla, corner Recoletos street, used to be the site of a pre-war church and convent of Agustinians Recollects. 

Insider tip: During the Christmas season, the Manila Bulletin decorates its lobby with holiday furniture ranging from gigantic Christmas balls, sparkling miniature Christmas villages, life-sized nutcrackers and more. 

What's around the area? Located just a few steps away from Manila Bulletin's east entrance is Intra Mall, a small commercial building that houses a milk tea house on the top floor. If you walk a little further, you will reach The Bayleaf, a hotel where you can enjoy sumptuous dishes at 9 Spoons, a modern, casual dining penthouse outlet with a panoramic view of the Manila skyline and the Intramuros Golf Course; Sky Deck, which provides an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the entire city; and Cioccolata which boasts the best churros in the city. 

If you and your friends want to see how the Philippines' first wine-making facility used to be in the past, head to the Destileria Limtuaco museum at 481 San Juan de Letran.  The place was established in 1852 by Lim Tua Co, a prominent figure in Filipino-Chinese society and his son Bonifacio Limtuaco.

Insider tip: The museum entrance fee is PHP100 per head, but guests can pay an additional price for alcohol testing. Destileria Limtuaco also offers their signature 100 ml ice cream for PHP120. 

See also: Basking in the Great Outdoors with Manille Liqueur de Dalandan

The Museo de Intramuros, which is located on the corner of Arzobispo and Anda streets (adjacent to Plazuela de Santa Isabel) is a legacy project by the Intramuros Administration. The place opened its doors to the public in May 2019 and features about 500 religious artefacts found in old churches around the Walled City. Construction of the museum started in 2009 at the old San Ignacio church and convent. 

In case you missed it: San Ignacio Church Ruins Is Now Museo de Intramuros

Designed and built by Jesuit priest Antonio Sedeño from 1586 to 1587, the Baluarte de San Diego is one of the oldest stone fortifications in the walled city. It started as a circular fort called Nuestra Señora de Guia, renovated in 1593 to join the walls of Intramuros. In 1762, the Baluarte was breached by British forces with cannon fire. It was restored soon after but once again suffered damage during the 1863 earthquake.

Guests can experience an immersive display of light and sound at the Bagumbayan at Light and Sound Museum. The place offers visuals, sounds, and robotics that retrace the footsteps of social reformist Jose Rizal who was among the catalyst of the 1896 Philippine revolution.

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