By: Airah Agustin

Manila Walled City of Intramuros is considered a gem to those who are fascinated by our history and culture. Home to major tourist attractions and museums (also home to DOLE-Manila, publishing houses, and a LOT of students), you would need to spend an ENTIRE day or more to fully visit everything inside these historic walls.

Here are just some of the sites you need to see in Intramuros:

MANILA CATHEDRAL

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, famously known as The Manila Cathedral, will be the first thing attraction you’ll see when you enter one of Intramuros’ gates. This beautiful church is normally filled with people, mostly tourists or students, who are exploring the city.

 Inside, you can see the majestic altar and relics. It also has mini “museums” located inside with panels boards, showing the history and evolution of the church.

The Manila Cathedral is also a famous wedding church destination in Manila.             

ADDRESS:

Beaterio St, Cabildo St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

Another famous church inside Intramuros, The San Agustin Church. The church’s exterior may not be eye-catching to many, but its interior will surely not disappoint. Inside you will see beautiful chandeliers, majestic ceilings, and a grand altar that will leave you in awe of this church. In 1994, along with a few other Baroque churches in the Philippines, San Agustin Church has declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This church also has a famous museum where you can see cultural, historical, and religious artefacts that were preserved and housed in San Agustin.

The San Agustin Church is also a sought-after wedding church destination like Manila Cathedral.

ADDRESS:

General Luna St, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

NCCA MUSEUM

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts is a government agency for the governing the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture. Their office in Intramuros has a small museum you can visit free of charge.

Inside you can see stunning national costumes from all over the world.

In also houses contemporary paintings and artworks.

ADDRESS:

633 General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

BALUARTE DE SAN DIEGO

Baluarte De San Diego was built as a fortress to protect Manila from the enemies during the Spanish era. The picturesque stone wall in the middle of this garden was meant to resemble the shape of the ace of spades.

Today, this historical garden is a famous tourist attraction to many and is also a favourite events place venue.

You can visit the garden with an entrance fee of PHP75 for adults and PHP50 for students.

ADDRESS:

Sta. Lucia St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

MUSEO DE INTRAMUROS

This newly-built museum in Intramuros is a three-storey fully air-conditioned building that showcases a wide variety of artefacts. It has IG-worthy walls and corners you can take photos of and post on social media.

You’ll see inside different religious relics, paintings, historical artefacts, and many more.

You can enter this museum for FREE.

It also worth to take note that videos, use of flash, and touching the artefacts are prohibited, so you better behave, kids!

ADDRESS:

Corner Arzobispo, Anda St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002

THE WALLS

You haven’t really toured Intramuros if you haven’t been to the Intramuros Walls!

You can just stroll on the stone-made walkways and see the view of the Intramuros and Manila City Hall’s famous clock tower from above.

You can also see some of the canyons left here from the war.

Those were just a few of the sites you need to see when you visit Intramuros!

Watch this vlog to know more about this Walled City: