Formerly a small wooden fort created by Rajah Sulayman, it became Spain's most important defense during the Hispanic settlement in the Philippines. Sulayman's fort was burned into ashes, and in its place stood Fort Santiago. It is also called "The Shrine of Freedom" because of the many Filipinos killed here during the Spanish and Japanese occupations.

This shrine used to be the home of Apolinario Mabini, the hero known as the brains of the Philippine revolution. During the American occupation, several foreign correspondents came here to talk to Mabini, until this house eventually became the intellectual headquarters of the first Philippine Republic.

The walled mini-city of Intramuros is hailed as the cultural and historic center of Manila. It consists of houses that depict milestones in Filipino and Hispanic architecture. Even locals flock to this area for recreation. The walls surrounding Intramuros are beautiful and reminiscent of the many battles that took place in Manila.

This river is considered as Manila's main lifeline where the first settlements were created. Pasig River is mentioned in many local novels and poetry, making it not only a natural site, but also a cultural one.