Travel to Fort Santiago, Intramuros

Travelogue by Danielle Eleuterio

INTRAMUROS is the oldest district and historic core in Manila. It was build during the Spanish Colonial Period here in the Philippines.

OUR JOURNEY

IN APRIL 2015, me and my family started our journey to Intramuros in the early afternoon. This is an unplanned and unexpected journey that we don’t know where to go or where to travel at that time, I really though we’re only going for a jog because my mom instructed me to wear jogging clothes but to my surprised, my dad is waiting for us in the car.

Around 1:45 or so, we finally arrived at Manila, The Capital City of the Philippines. At first, I thought we’re going in the Zoo because we turned in the street where we can find Manila Zoo but my dad drove straight and he finally said that we are going in Intramuros.

Along the way, we got lost in some street and we go around in circles in the ruins of Intendencia but we managed to find the right route. Upon Arriving, We immediately saw the beautiful scenery of the Park inside the gates and we saw some Kalesa in and out of the said park.

Historical Background of Intramuros

Intramuros, the walled city multifaceted built by the Spaniards upon their occupation of Manila, is a marvelous way to spend the day in Manila. It is located along the southern bank of the Pasig River and was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and is the oldest district of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The name is taken from the Latin, intra muros, literally "Within the walls", meaning within the wall enclosure of the city/fortress, also describes its structure as it is surrounded by thick, high walls and moats. During the Spanish colonial period, Intramuros was considered Manila itself.

 It is constructed almost completely of stone blocks and possesses the same architectural traits one can see in other Spanish defenses like the Caribbean. It has been attractively landscaped with abundant tropical flowers and plants, and it is a relief for many families looking for shade in ever hot and muggy Manila. One can walk around the paths or use the pleasingly decorated horse drawn carriages. Some of the features of this park are old gunpowder rooms used as recently as World War II, seminaries and chapels, the Manila cathedral and museums. It is recommended that if going for the first time, a driver or guide be hired from your hotel. This is a gigantic area neighboring Rizal Park, and it is not recommended to hire an amateur guide loitering near the entrance.

FORT SANTIAGO

Inside, there is a wide park filled with flowers, souvenir shops, Old rustic cannons. The Park is very beautiful, and also it’s very wide that you can take a ride in Kalesa’s and the Mini train inside (sadly, it’s out of order when we got there) But taking a walk is more convenient.

                             (Inside the Mini Train.)

         (Casually taking a walk.)

              (Manong mag-kakalesa.)

           (The Rusting bombs and canons)

Also, inside the park, there are many hidden stairs that leads up to the Guarding Towers. Cannons can also be found at the top.

    (me at the mini playground. You can already see the famous gate of Fort Santiago.)

             (At the Entrance.)

The Entrance was perfectly built and even it is 400-500 years old, you can say that it is still strong due to the finest materials that were used. Intramuros was once a Prison for many Prisoners and one of the famous prisoner at that time was our National Hero: José Protasio Rizal. When the time of WWII, The Intramuros was destroyed into ruins but thanks to the Conservation of Intramuros, it was built up again. The Walls are really high to protect it from intruders and from prisoners attempting to escape the area. Inside the Fort Santiago is really gloomy because of the ruins inside and also the scary dungeons everywhere can give you goosebumps.

                                (My brother trying to climb up)

  (The Dungeon)

MAIN ATTRACTION

Main Attraction inside Fort Santiago is the Rizal Shrine that can be located at the back. It was built in Honor of the Late National Hero, José Protasio Rizal. 

HOW TO GET TO FORT SANTIAGO

From Taguig:

1.           From Net2, Market! Market!, or the Fort Open Field, ride the Fort bus/shuttle to Ayala, and get off at MRT-Ayala station.

2.           Take the MRT to Taft terminal station.

3.           Walk through the connecting foot bridge towards LRT1-EDSA station.

4.           Take the LRT1 to Central terminal station.

5.           Follow the LRT1 along A. Villegas until you get to Natividad Almeda-Lopez (2 blocks). Landmarks are SM City Manila, Manila City Hall, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

6.           Turn right at Natividad Almeda-Lopez, and walk past Manila City Hall towards Padre Burgos (1 block).

7.           Cross Padre Burgos towards Intramuros.

Fort Santiago Entrance Fee/Admission price: PhP75.00 adults; PhP50 children/students/teachers (valid IDs required); free entrance for disabled and senior citizens Open Hours/Schedule: daily from 8am to 6pm including holidays Coordinates: N14 35 39.1 E120 58 13.1 (handy for GPS device users)

 For guided tours of Fort Santiago, educational tours and field trips, you can request from Intramuros Administration (where you also request a "permit to shoot" for professional photographers)