Intramuros (lit. ’within the walls’ or ‘inside the walls’) is the historic walled area within the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. …

… considered at the time of the Spanish Empire to be the entire City of Manila …

Intramuros is the most important tourist area in the big city.

I didn’t enjoy the visit as much as I’d hoped. In a bad mood because transportation is so gridlocked. It was slow to get here and back to the Gymnastics competition. I tried public transportation — but it was lined up. Too slow.

So I took a GRAB car (something like Uber) and that was also problematic. There’s no easy way to get around Manila.

I started at San Ignacio Church as it’s the tourist information centre. CLOSED on Mondays.

The GPSMyCity app didn’t work. It’s a self-guided walking tour guide that would have been perfect here.

Walked down the street to the impressive Manila Cathedral.

Said HI to Carlos IV.

Then to the main attraction, Fort Santiago.

There’s a problematic ticket queue set-up. I had to square up with a lady tour guide trying to go to the window ahead of us.

Fort Santiago was the highlight, actually. A lot of history.

This is one of the prettier views I’ve seen of grotty Manila.

Most of the good photos I’ve seen of this city are backstreet, real life close-ups.

There are plenty of statues.

And — past Intramuros — many of the major architectural attractions.