English: PUBLISHED:

Hotels.com ph.hotels.com/go/philippines/best-manila-things-to-do

Malaysia Airlines Magazine www.goingplacesmagazine.com/6-wonderful-winter-escapes/

www.tripzilla.ph/solo-date-ideas-valentines/15151

travelourplanet.com/le-destinazioni-2/asia-le-destinazion...

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Intramuros (Latin, "within the walls") is the oldest district and historic core of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Also called the Walled City, it was the original city of Manila and was the seat of government when the Philippines was a component realm of the Spanish Empire. The construction of Intramuros started in 1571 and covers an area of about 160 acres. Only the Spanish elite and Mestizos (mixed race) were permitted to live inside Intramuros, where at night the city gates were locked down. The natives and Chinese were not permitted to live inside the walled fortress and were resigned to live outside the great walls of Intramuros.

During World War II, Intramuros was used by the Japanese as their garrison and prison. It was severely damaged, along with most parts of Manila, during the Allied bombings to liberate the city from Japanese occupation. The US Administration filled the moat in to prevent the onset of disease.