5 Interesting Things to Know about the Intramuros Administration

Whenever I go to Intramuros, one thing that really ignites my interest is the presence of the architectural style during the Spanish Era inside the whole place- not just in the old schools and churches but also in the modern-day fastfood chains and restaurants such as Jollibee and Max's. All of the buildings seemed to comply with a certain blueprint or style in order to preserve the ambiance of the Walled City during the Philippine colonial period.

I was grateful to have met some of the officials of the government organization that is above all these things- the restoration, preservation as well as the promotion of Intramuros. The organization is called the Intramuros Administration. It's nice to know that there is actually a group that is assigned to take care of the Walled City. That even though it is said that Intramuros was not anymore as glorious as it was during the 18th and 19th centuries, with Intramuros Administration Intramuros may be able to "relive within its imposing walls the dramatic walls of the Philippine past".

The Intramuros Administration is located at 5th Floor,  Palacio del Gobernador, Gen. Luna cor Aduana Sts. Intramuros, Manila. [Photo Credits: http://miteasia.com/] 

Here are 5 interesting facts to know about the Intramuros Administration.

1. National Government Agency. The Intramuros Administration is a national government agency created on April 10, 1979 under Presidential Decree 1616. It is tasked to restore the Walled City of Intramuros and develop it into a prime urban tourist destination.
2. Main Center of Tourism in Manila. IA's objective is to make this "city within a city" socially, economically and culturally viable again while keeping pace with modernization. IA intends to enhance the potential of Intramuros as a main center of tourist activity in the City of Manila. It is involved not only in restoration but also in urban renewal and income generation
3. Cultural Center. Today, IA provides a more enjoyable visit to the Walled City for its guests. With ninety percent of the walls restored, Intramuros has become a busy cultural center featuring the performing arts, exhibits, flea markets, book fairs, music and art contests, and religious activities. Restored chambers of the gates have been converted into commercial establishments like food stalls and souvenir shops. Tourists can also visit antique and handicraft stores.
4. Fil-Hispanic Ambiance. IA has ensured that business offices and residences have locational clearances and that they follow designs of Philippine colonial architecture to recapture Fil-Hispanic ambiance of the Walled City.
5. Cultural Heritage Treasures. IA is also recovering the treasures of our cultural heritage. To date, it has an impressive collection of antique furniture, period decor, paintings, jewelry, icons and other items of the Philippines' past. Some of these are exhibited at Casa Manila Museum.

Bloggers Note: Do you have any questions or suggestions to the Intramuros Administration? Please feel free to email us at intramurosmanila [@] ymail [.] com. We will be more than happy to relay all your questions and suggestions to the government organization. 

[Source: Intramuros Map]