In the heart of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippine Islands, by the Pasig River is the ancient fortress of Intramuros. It was from this place that Manila began its development in the 16th century.
Approximately 5 centuries ago, the fortress of Intramuros was surrounded by high walls and a moat filled with water. Within its walls were the church and the residences of the first persons: the rulers and the bishop. And the square built in front of the church served as a place for festive parades.
If you look at the medieval fortress from a bird’s eye view, then in shape it will resemble an irregular polygon.
All city streets originate from the center of this polygon. One side of the fortress (Western) goes to the sea. And since pirate attacks were a frequent occurrence, they decided to strengthen it with the help of Fort Santiago, which, with its power, was able to protect the city.
By our time, the Intramuros fortress, alas, has ceased to look so powerful and protected. Natural phenomena and numerous wars have caused considerable damage. Only a couple of miles of old, moss-covered stone remained of the strong walls. Part of the powerful Fort Santiago was also destroyed. Partially damaged the oldest temple in Manila – the Cathedral of San Augustin.
Today, the restoration work of ancient buildings is underway. There is an incredible atmosphere all around! As if you are transported to the streets of an ancient Spanish town. And this is not an exaggeration, because there is not a single modern cafe or shop on the territory of the fortress. Access to Intramuros is possible only through the gates in the walls, as the moats around the fortress are filled with water again. The gates themselves were not only restored, but also rebuilt.
It is possible to see cute little buildings with tile roofs by driving through the narrow streets in an unusual cart. The tour will take no more than two hours. It is also interesting to visit the Cassa Manila Museum and learn about the conditions of life in rich medieval families. It will be interesting to walk through a variety of souvenir shops. Why not take a memorable photo against the background of ancient walls? At the same time, the city is not devoid of modern expensive hotels. With the onset of darkness, you can admire the beautifully illuminated streets of the city from the windows of your rooms.
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