91
{
}
There’s a certain symmetry to
beginning your Manila tour in the oldest
part of the city: Fort Santiago (PHP75
for adults, PHP50 for children; open
Tue-Sun 9am-6pm). This was once the
site of Raja Soliman’s palisaded fort,
razed by the Spanish in 1570 to make
way for a stone fortification that later
grew into the walled city of Intramuros.
Retrace José Rizal’s last days within
the Fort: visit the Rizal Shrine, a replica
of the barracks where our hero was
jailed during his trial, or climb up the
Baluarte de Santa Barbara to get a
panoramic view of the Pasig River.
Exit Fort Santiago on foot and walk a
hundred yards down Gen. Luna Street
to Plaza Roma: the Ayuntamiento, the
Palacio del Governador, and the Manila
Cathedral surround it, all major power
centers in the days of the Spanish. As
of press time, the Manila Cathedral is
closed for repairs.
Detour at Patio de Conchita (
681
Beaterio St, Intramuros; tel: +63
2 311 5417
)
north-east of Manila
Cathedral for a
turo-turo
(“
point point”
in Tagalog) lunch (PHP100), where
you pick and choose what looks best.
Walk south-east down Gen. Luna to
the corner of Real Street, and you’ll
find the San Agustin Church to your
right and the Plaza San Luis Complex
(
Casa Manila) to your left. Enter the
latter to find the White Knight Hotel
Intramuros (
tel: +63 2 526 6539,
com
)
within: standard rooms go for
PHP1,960 a night, plus PHP1,000 per
extra bed.
Walk back to Plaza Roma and on
the northern side of Soriano Avenue,
you can ride a Quiapo-bound jeepney
(
PHP8) to make your way to Rizal
Park, or Luneta. This 54-hectare park
provides plenty of action for families
M A N I L A O N A S H O E S T R I N G
Clockwise from top:
Get to see Spanish-
era buildings like
this in Old Manila;
inside San Agustin
Church; one of the
houses at the Plaza
San Luis Complex
Explore
Manila on a
kalesa!
