Intramuros

Intramuros is the walled historic core of Manila, constructed by Spanish colonial authorities from 1571 and enclosing 64 hectares on the south bank of the Pasig River where it meets Manila Bay. The circuit of basalt and laterite walls, up to seven metres high and originally enclosing churches, convents, government buildings, and a population of Spaniards and their retainers, still largely intact and walkable. Fort Santiago at the northern vertex served as a military headquarters and political prison under both Spanish and American rule and later under Japanese occupation, and now houses a museum.