For a long while, a tour around the Walled City of Intramuros would normally involve a ride in one of the city’s oldest modes of transport: the trusty old calesa. But with time and technology catching up in this historic part of the city, the Intramuros experience just got itself enhanced. Thanks to the folks behind the first hotel in Intramuros, the White Knight Hotel located right across San Agustin Church, (AKA the oldest church in the country) they introduced in March this year a unique Intramuros tour experience which they dubbed, quite appropriately, the Electric Chariot tour. The electric chariot in question here unfortunately does not involve robot horses…
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Isabel II: the monument that almost got ditched
Located in an inconspicuous corner at the northeastern end of the Intramuros walls stands this particular monument made of copper (which is why it’s greenish in color) This monument happens to be of one dedicated to one of Spain’s most controversial monarchs, Queen Isabel (or Isabella) II. She became a polarizing figure when she assumed the throne of the Spanish monarchy at age 3, as her accession was opposed by those who feel that the crown should be given to a male member of the royal family, even though Isabel was a direct descendant of the late king Ferdinand VII and that the king himself had no male children.
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Manila Cathedral: the church with 8 lives
There are a lot of interesting places to see in Intramuros, but perhaps one thing that would stand out in this part of the city is the imposing structure that is the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception AKA the Manila Cathedral, the seat of power of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Given the vast influence of the Roman Catholic Church especially during the Spanish colonial era, it is but fitting that its seat in power in the capital city should be the most imposing of them all. Before Rizal monument, the Cathedral was the original “Kilometer 0” where all will begin, so to speak. Even today, as a…
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The Aduana/Intendencia Building
If there’s one thing that is disappointing to see other than disappeared landmarks, it would be those that have been neglected or being left to its own sad state. Sadly there are a number of such examples one can see in the metropolis. Manila’s historic walled city district we call Intramuros is home to some of these “neglected” structures. One of them which I am writing about today is a landmark that’s hard to miss, a few meters away from the southern bank of the Pasig River.
