Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest part of Manila. The original Malay settlement was destroyed in 1574, and the Spaniards rebuilt it as a wooden fort, which was replaced by a stone complex in 1590. It slowly grew into the fortified city that is now known as Intramuros. The walls around the city were 3km (1.9 miles) long, 13m (43ft) thick and 6m (20ft) high. Seven main drawbridges across the surrounding moat provided access into the city. The moat was later filled in and today it is a golf course. Among the buildings in the walled city were 15 churches, six monasteries, a university, schools, offices, a hospital, a printing press and many impressive houses but the walls were about all left standing after World War II. The best time to wander around Intramuros is early in the morning before the heat of the day.
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Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is the ruined old Spanish fort, now used as a park. A collection of rusting cars which belonged to previous Presidents dot the park. The climb to the top of Fort Santiago is worth the view of the Pasig River. During World War II, the Japanese used the fort as a prison. The dungeons are below the high-tide level and sometimes prisoners drowned here. Right at the end of the war the Japanese started on a wholesale massacre of prisoners, and in one small cell the bodies of 600 people were later found. The Rizal Shrine Museum is probably the most interesting part of the fort. It is filled with items that were used or made by the Filipino martyr, José Rizal, including a farewell poem he wrote on the eve of his execution. The rooms where he was held before his execution can be visited.
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Opening Hours:

Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest part of Manila. The original Malay settlement was destroyed in 1574, and the Spaniards rebuilt it as a wooden fort, which was replaced by a stone complex in 1590. It slowly grew into the fortified city that is now known as Intramuros. The walls around the city were 3km (1.9 miles) long, 13m (43ft) thick and 6m (20ft) high. Seven main drawbridges across the surrounding moat provided access into the city. The moat was later filled in and today it is a golf course. Among the buildings in the walled city were 15 churches, six monasteries, a university, schools, offices, a hospital, a printing press and many impressive houses but the walls were about all left standing after World War II. The best time to wander around Intramuros is early in the morning before the heat of the day.
Address:
Opening Hours:

Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is the ruined old Spanish fort, now used as a park. A collection of rusting cars which belonged to previous Presidents dot the park. The climb to the top of Fort Santiago is worth the view of the Pasig River. During World War II, the Japanese used the fort as a prison. The dungeons are below the high-tide level and sometimes prisoners drowned here. Right at the end of the war the Japanese started on a wholesale massacre of prisoners, and in one small cell the bodies of 600 people were later found. The Rizal Shrine Museum is probably the most interesting part of the fort. It is filled with items that were used or made by the Filipino martyr, José Rizal, including a farewell poem he wrote on the eve of his execution. The rooms where he was held before his execution can be visited.
Address:
Opening Hours: