Intramuros Promotional Video

Summary

Intramuros, the historic walled city of Manila, emerges from the rubble of World War II, revealing its rich colonial past. Built in the 16th century by Spanish colonizers, it showcases a blend of European and Asian influences. The city's fortifications, including walls, gates, and Fort Santiago, have been restored, preserving its legacy. Intramuros continues to evolve, with cultural events and museums, including the Manila Cathedral and the ecclesiastical collection, celebrating its priceless heritage.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Intramuros, once the jewel of the Spanish Empire, has been restored after being ravaged by World War.
• 🛕 Built in the 16th century, Intramuros was the center of the new nation formed by Spanish colonizers from diverse Philippine cultures.
• 🏰 The walls of Intramuros, averaging 6 meters high and 4.5 meters thick, were built from local volcanic stone and have endured to this day.
• 🚶‍♂️ Intramuros had several gates, including the Royal Gate leading to the Governor General's residence and the Manila Cathedral.
• 🏰 Fort Santiago, a citadel with its own walls and moat, was the main garrison and later became the military headquarters of the United States.
• 🏛 The historic buildings of Intramuros, such as the governor's residence and colonial administrative offices, are being restored to add to its character.
• 🕍 Intramuros was the seat of the Catholic Church, with the Manila Cathedral being the grandest building, evolving through centuries of fires and invasions.
• 🏫 The area also housed educational institutions like the University of Santo Tomas, contributing to the intellectual resistance against colonizers.
• 🏡 Residences in Intramuros adapted to the tropics with wooden columns, large windows for ventilation, and steep roofs for heavy rains.
• 🎨 Intramuros showcases the unique melding of cultures with Philippine craftsmen's works alongside those from Europe and Asia.
• 🌳 The area is being revitalized with parks, public spaces, and a full schedule of cultural events, along with the construction of a new Maritime Museum.

Q & A

What is Intramuros and what historical significance does it hold?

Intramuros is a historic district within Manila, Philippines, established in the 16th century by Spanish colonizers. It served as the center of a new nation and the hub of government, religion, and culture during the Spanish colonial period.

How was Intramuros constructed and what materials were used?

Intramuros was built in the 16th century using labor conscripted from the Filipino and Chinese communities. The structures were elegant adaptations of European designs using tropical materials and the environment, with walls made from locally quarried volcanic stone.

What is the significance of the walls of Intramuros?

The walls of Intramuros characterize the historic heritage and provided a formidable barrier against foreign invasions and local uprisings. They were built from volcanic stone and have endured to this day, with many parts restored or repaired.

What were the main gates of Intramuros and what were their purposes?

The main gates included Puerta del Parian, which led to the governor-general's residence and the cathedral; Postigo del Palacio, used exclusively by the governor-general and the Archbishop; Puerta de la Cava, leading to the Chinese District; Puerta Santa Lucia, built for access to the Malecon; and Puerta Isabel Segunda, opened to ease traffic between Intramuros and Binondo.

What is Fort Santiago and what role did it play in history?

Fort Santiago is a citadel within Intramuros, strategically located at the mouth of the Pasig River. It was a main garrison and protected by its own walls and moat. After the Philippines was sold to the United States in 1898, it became the American military headquarters and now houses the Intramuros Visitors Center.

What is the historical role of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros?

The Manila Cathedral was the grandest building in Intramuros and a prime mover of colonization. It evolved through the centuries, suffering fires, earthquakes, and invasions, and was the center for missionaries spreading the Catholic faith.

How did Intramuros adapt to the tropical climate in terms of architecture?

Intramuros adapted to the tropical climate with wooden columns that resisted earthquakes better than stone, large windows for maximum ventilation, and steep roofs to shed torrential rains.

What cultural significance does Intramuros hold in terms of education?

Intramuros was home to several educational institutions established by the missionaries, such as the University of Santo Tomas, the ATO Municipal, and San Juan de Letran, which produced intellectuals who would later defy the colonizers.

How has Intramuros preserved its historical and cultural heritage?

Intramuros has preserved its heritage through the restoration of structures, designing new buildings in the colonial style, and maintaining the flavor of old Intramuros with cultural and art events held in various venues within the walled city.

What are some of the future developments planned for Intramuros?

Future developments for Intramuros include the revitalization of parks and public places, the establishment of a new Maritime Museum, and the reconstruction of the Church of San Ignacio into a museum for the ecclesiastical collection of the Intramuros administration.

How can visitors experience Intramuros today?

Visitors can experience Intramuros through leisurely tours using calesas (horse-drawn carriages), attending cultural and art events, and visiting the Intramuros Visitors Center, which includes an audiovisual theater and museum shop.