Intramuros and Fort Santiago in Manila

If you want to understand the Philippines as a country, visit Intramuros and Fort Santiago in Manila. Buildings of colonial architecture are well-preserved, neat and well-maintained. I’d recommend you to join the two-hour tour to better yourself in understanding the [easyazon_link asin=”1741796946″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Philippines’ history, its culture and people.[/easyazon_link] The tour is interactive and well-presented that you’d never look at museums and old forts and old walls the same way ever again.

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Intramuros and Fort Santiago in Manila, Philippines.

Intramuros and Fort Santiago in Manila is an old Spanish fortification that had been attacked, occupied by the Spanish, British, American, Japanese and Filipino forces.

Sorry. There are no cabs inside. Take this kalesa, instead. You’ll be [easyazon_link asin=”B003ZHVJGO” locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Cinderella[/easyazon_link] for the whole tour! 😉

If only these things could talk, what stories could they tell?

The gardens inside are well-manicured.

The lawns are kept clean.

Check out every houses / museums inside and feel the grandiosity of the place during Spanish era.

After the tour, if you have time, go around, discover more and be on your own.

Fort Santiago is right next to the Pasig River, a dying river that Manila is still trying to save until today.

Sit, relax and enjoy the view.

Aside from the fact that this was once a stronghold of military forces, Fort Santiago was also a prison.

Fort Santiago’s famous prisoner is the country’s national hero, [easyazon_link asin=”0143039695″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”default” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Dr. Jose Rizal[/easyazon_link].

He spent his last night here writing his farewell poem to his countrymen, “Mi Ultimo Adios,” in Spanish.

While you’re here, find and follow Jose Rizal’s last footsteps emblazoned in brass, on the way to his excution mark in Rizal / Luneta Park.

“To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past.” – Jose Rizal.

On your way outside Fort Santiago, go around Intamuros on foot.

Imagine you’re in Spain. 😉

Or just sit in one of those cafes there and relieve the colonial past. 😉

TIPS:

Don’t go on weekends. It’s the time when schools do their field trips for students to brush up their knowledge on Philippine history. It’s going to be noisy and crowded. But, if you don’t mind that, have fun!