Fort Santiago

Going to intramuros is unplanned... We're on a job hunt that day so since the agency is located in intramuros, we hit two birds with one stone.

The Famous Landmark of Fort Santiago

Intramuros was build during the 16^th century by the Spaniard as we became a colony by them…Intramuros was literally means “within the walls” a city/fortress surrounded by high, thick bricks, walls and moats. Situated at the southern part of Pasig River closed to the entrance river near the Manila Bay. It was the fortress for Spanish elite and mestizos. Locals and Chinese are prohibited to live and enter the city…

Pasig river

There were Churches, Schools, Military Barracks, and Governor’s Place…The garrison / prison was now known as FORT SANTIAGO…

Manila Cathedral Church

San sebastian Church

FORT SANTIAGO was once ruled by Rajah Sulayman prior to Spanish occupation and ruler. But when he was defeated, the settlement was made into a  fort… Spaniards Rebuild it with stones (from woods) making it housed the militaries and Spanish officials. Dungeons and prisons where tortures was a normal thing. It also held  the most famous prisoner of the Philippines and a hero JOSE RIZAL.

My favorite Brick/wall

View from above

walls

walls

walls

and walls :)

During the World War II was the time  when the city was severely damage. But today it was restored and preserved. Making it into a tourist spot where visitors  will see how Manila looks like during the Spanish era…

i like this one, i think it's new from the Bamboo garden

The train and rails was now remmoved. Canyon nlng :)

Rusty Iron man

Calesa

The Big fountain 

and me

Rizal Shrine was developed and Rizal monument was build inside the Fort.

Way back my elementary days, during a field trip we can enter into the dungeon . It was located near the pasig river and said to be filled with river water where prisoners almost or drown during high tide. But the day we visited it (in celebration with Rizal’s  Centennial years) the dungeon was closed…I’m not sure if it was permanently closed.

inside the shrine Rizal's memorabilia (blurry)

Going there is really easy, 

- you can take a TAXI no worries cuz almost all drivers know the place.

- Or by a Bus : (we’re from Cavite so we take  a bus bound to Lawton and get off  at the CITY HALL of Manila (near SM MANILA) from there  a few walks will do just use the under pass to cross the street and you’ll see the Gate of intramuros…

You can stroll along the city by walking and pass by the Famous Church of  San Sebatian and Manila Cathedral… Enjoy the old city once you see the Manila Cathedral church, just cross the street and you’ll find FORT SANTIAGO (fee is 70 pesos as of june 2011) If your not good in walking you can ride a pedicab or Calesa going to Fort Santiago just beware  that drivers will not over charge you…

- by LRT just get off the UNITED NATIONS station a few walks from there  to get to the Intramuros Gate…(same instruction as  the BUS)

Note: pictures taken from a sony cyber shot w320