June 3, 2009

Within the walls

The historic district of Intramuros in the City of Manila was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. At the time, Intramuros was considered the city of Manila itself. Its name is Latin for "within the walls" and is an accurate description of the city fortress, surrounded by moats and thick, high walls. This is the moat just outside Fort Santiago, one of the oldest fortifications in Manila. It was built for the Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi in 1571 at the north-western end of the city where the Pasig River joins Manila Bay. Over the walls, you can see some of the facilities of Manila's North Harbor.

moat and walls of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila

Natural or man-made, take a refreshing dip in Watery Wednesday.
Watery Wednesday

27 comments:

  1. Buenos Aires PhotoblogJune 3, 2009 at 7:56 PM

    It is just amazing how far the Spanish conquistadors came. Are there any Spanish speakers left in Manila? Just curious...

    Buenos Aires Photo

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  2. Cezar and LéiaJune 3, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    The city fortress is very interesting indeed! This post is really cool with great information!
    Thanks a lot!
    Léia

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  3. myphotographerJune 3, 2009 at 8:42 PM

    great blog, would be awesome to visit your side of the world but for now I will have to be content with your pictures :-)

    In response to your comment on my http://www.simonstown.bundublog.com

    Yip, overfishing and no more free fishing rights

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  4. BradJune 3, 2009 at 8:47 PM

    so much history

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  5. HalcyonJune 3, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    Interesting history. I love intramuros cities - so pretty and historic.

    Happy Wednesday!

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  6. Maggie MayJune 3, 2009 at 9:24 PM

    Interesting picture and also the history behind it.

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  7. JamesJune 3, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Really cool and so old.
    I was just lamenting about a missing picture of me in Legazpi with the Mayon volcano in the background. Until now I didn't know how Legazpi got it's name.

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  8. B SQUAREDJune 3, 2009 at 9:32 PM

    I learn something here everyday.

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  9. Lee SpanglerJune 3, 2009 at 9:32 PM

    Hilda: Thanks for visiting my site. I love your pictures,the moat, the red sign and the feet. You are talented and your writing shows such sensitivity. I have studied a little about the Phillipines and am interested in its history esp. w/ the war w/ USA in 1899

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  10. LoisJune 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM

    Fascinating history! I would love to take a walk there.

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  11. AnonymousJune 3, 2009 at 10:49 PM

    Have you ever wandered around inside this place and felt the presence of others? I did down in St Augustine in Florida in their old fort.

    I started a new blog just for our flowers
    Our Flower Pot

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  12. LaurentJune 3, 2009 at 10:50 PM

    Interesting post. We also have a "intra muros" in Paris which is still in fact the city's boundaries

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  13. Don and KriseJune 4, 2009 at 12:25 AM

    You seem to live in a place where you never run out of interesting things to show us Hilda.

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  14. this too will passJune 4, 2009 at 1:56 AM

    very interesting indeed

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  15. CoskuncaJune 4, 2009 at 2:44 AM

    Hi Hilda,
    Thanks for sharing interesting history.

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  16. marleyJune 4, 2009 at 5:43 AM

    When they built it they certainly didn't want any intruders! Now it looks a nice place for a stroll.

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  17. crocrodylJune 4, 2009 at 5:45 AM

    Interesting story, very historical place!

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  18. 2sweetnsaxyJune 4, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    Very interesting! Thank you for sharing the photo and the history behind the moat.

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  19. GeorgeJune 4, 2009 at 6:17 AM

    The history in Manila is absolutely fascinating. I would love to be able to roam through those sites just absorbing the history. Thanks for sharing the fascinating post with us.

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  20. LowellJune 4, 2009 at 11:20 AM

    Our ancestors often felt it necessary to build walls of protection as do many people today in their gated communities...

    It is so interesting that these walls are still standing after so many years!

    Nicely-composed, Hilda.

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  21. Lilli & NevadaJune 4, 2009 at 1:15 PM

    What a great history lesson. Thanks for your stop over

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  22. VPJune 4, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    This looks familiar, about the same age of our Old Fortress, which is close to the Harbor...
    It would be great if you could post some more photos of this ancient quarter.

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  23. HildaJune 4, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    BAP:
    Yes, there are still quite a few Spanish-speaking families in Manila, especially those who can trace their ancestry back to Spain. Spanish was still a requirement in my school when I was studying, and many Filipino languages have words that are clearly Spanish in origin.

    Vogon Poet:
    Don't worry, I will! But we'll give those who aren't interested much in history a break every now and then :)

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  24. kazuJune 4, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    It is interesting story.
    Great photos!

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  25. Buenos Aires PhotoblogJune 5, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    Hilda, thanks for clearing up my curiosity. Very interesting.

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  26. LayrayskiJune 5, 2009 at 11:58 PM

    I seem to be missing a comment here. mmm...

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  27. escapeJune 7, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    i love intramuros. every foreign tourist should make a visit.

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Thanks for visiting and letting me know!