"Intramuros" means "within the walls." It was the first City of Manila. Intramuros was established by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1571 on the site of Raha Soliman’s kingdom. Fort Santiago was the site of the raha’s palace. The City of Manila that we have today was created only in 1856; it included all the suburbs that had sprouted around Intramuros. The Spaniards called these suburbs "extramuros de Manila" (areas outside Intramuros).

Every object inside Intramuros is a piece of Philippine history. The churches, convents, and symbols of the various religious orders nourished the men and women who created the Filipino nation. The stones of the walls of Intramuros as well as all the structures therein were the handiwork of Filipino labor. The crypts in the various churches contain the remains of Legazpi and many members of Spain’s noblest houses who were sent to govern the Philippines. The areas in front of various churches contain the remains of Manila, Tondo, and Pampanga’s "maguinoos, rahas, and lakans." Raha Matanda, grandson of Siripada I, first Sultan of Brunei, was interred in front of the main altar of the Manila Cathedral.

Intramuros was the heart of the Philippines from 1571 to 1898. It still is today. It is the heart of Philippine history.

Intramuros is a priceless legacy of Spain to the Philippines. It links the past, the present, and the future of the two countries.

We congratulate the Intramuros Administration headed by Administrator Domingo C. Ferrer, Jr., its Officers and Staff and wish them success in all their endeavors.