Intramuros District (Intramuros), which translates from Spanish as "inside the walls" - is the oldest district of Manila, the capital of the island nation of the Philippines. Today on its territory 0 67 sq.km. It is home to about 5000 people. A number of tourists is much higher than this figure, because Intramuros - is one of the main attractions of Manila and a major architectural monument of the time of the Spanish conquest.

In 1571 on the banks of the Pasig River at its confluence of Manila Bay Spanish conquistador Lopez de Legazpi founded a fortress to protect the Hispanic families of military and administration from the attacks of Chinese pirates. It was this fortress surrounded by a wide moat, gave rise to the city of Manila - until the 19th century the word "Manila" and "Intramuros" were synonymous. And only in the 19-early 20th century Manila "stepped" through the walls of the fortress, making it only a part of the city.

For many decades we lived inside the fort Hispanic family and servants from the local population. But life is gradually taking its toll, and, increasingly, to create families of mixed origin - gathered momentum Christianization of the indigenous inhabitants of the Philippines. In 1590 on the site of the wooden fort of Intramuros was built of stone, and in the 17-18 centuries, a whole complex of structures designed to protect its occupants from the Chinese and Malays. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, many monuments of Spanish colonial architecture have been destroyed by bombing.

However, today you can see the inside Intramuros interesting buildings that have a long history .  The fortress itself is located just south of the Pasig River .  It is interesting that before there was a bamboo fortress Rajah Suleiman Meniyla who ruled these places in the 14th century .  In the north-western part of Santiago is - the oldest fortification of the Spaniards .  Once in the fort housed a prison for Filipino pirates who fought for the independence of their country .  Opposite him stands the Manila Cathedral, built in the Romanesque style .  And at the very gates of the palace stands the Cathedral of San Augustin, the oldest building in Manila and one of the most beautiful .  Throughout the area are scattered numerous art galleries, museums, restaurants and even a small aquarium .  Vintage ditches that once surrounded Intramuros, drained and turned into a golf course, popular today with local residents and tourists .