Inside the walls, Intramuros
Intramuros, meaning ‘within the walls’ in Latin, is the heart of Manila, proudly presenting the record of the oldest district in the city. The areas beyond the Intramuros were called ‘extramuros’, indicating ‘outside the walls’. Along with the history of Manila, Intramuros was the center of authority when the Philippines were under the rule of the Spanish Empire and was also residential area with churches, cathedrals, forts, houses, and schools. The construction first started as an attempt to protect Manila from foreign attacks, with walls measuring 3.7 km in length. Originally situated along the Manila Bay, it was once heavily destroyed during the World War Ⅱ and was declared a National Historical Monument and began its reconstruction in 1951. Many travelers visit Intramuros for its exotic sights.
The Church of Miracle, San Augustin Church
San Augustin Church is the oldest Roman Catholic Church built with stones in Philippines, located inside the walls of Intramuros. It is one of the four churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period to be marked as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The present day church is actually the third church to be reconstructed on site. Finished in 1571, the church was destroyed by fire for the first time in 1574. A second one erected on the ground yet again caught fire. For the third and the last time, people rebuilt the building with stone and afterwards, the church endured one of the strongest earthquake at the time in 1863, remaining as the only public building with no harm. The church had gone through a series of earthquakes in 1645, 1699, 1754, 1796, 1880, 1825 and 1852, and still stands to this very day with removed left bell tower. Moreover, during the World War Ⅱ, San Augustin Church was the only church left unharmed after bombings of Intramuros by American force.