In the capital of the Philippines, you’ll find a city rich in over four hundred years of history. The original capital of the Spanish East Indies, known as Intramuros , began here in 1571, on the southern shores of the Pasig River. Chinese and Japanese pirates threatened the area in those times and so the Spanish built a defensive fort with high stone walls and moats, enclosing homes and churches, schools, palaces and government buildings. In those times, one could only enter the city through gates with drawbridges which were then shut tightly before midnight and not opened again until dawn.

Today, the Intramuros is a destination spot for travelers, filled with historic sites and museums. The Intramuros Administration runs the site with the intent of encouraging a sense of pride and uniqueness to Filipinos, recognizing this walled city as a cultural and heritage site well worth preserving. The area is filled with art galleries, restaurants and shops as well as museums, including the National Museum , which displays treasures retrieved from sunken Manila galleons dating back to the 1600s. The Ayala Museum, too, will also teach travelers about the history of the Philippines.

Anyone arriving at Manila hotels will encounter a rich mix of architecture, historical sites, and contemporary culture and nightlife that won’t soon be forgotten.

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