Intramuros, Fort San Antonio Abad designated as National Cultural Treasures

Intramuros and Fort San Antonio Abad, which is collectively named “Fortifications of Manila,” have been declared as National Cultural Treasure (NCT) by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).

The two sites were cited specifically for their architectural, scientific, and archaeological significance. Both forts had been essential in the defense of colonial Manila.

The NCT marker can now be found at Plaza Roma in Intramuros.

Fort San Antonio and Intramuros: full of history

Fort San Antonio Abad was first built in 1584. Later in 1764, it was rebuilt for the improvement of the defense of Manila after the British occupation from 1762 to 1764.

Moreover, the American flag was first hoisted on this fort in 1898 after the First Colorado Regiment took over the site.

Intramuros, on the other hand, has its beginnings as a pre-Spanish fortification of Rajah Sulayman. In 1571, however, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi occupied the fort.

A pentagon-shaped fortification was then built from 1584 to the 18th century. This incorporated the area of Fort Santiago as well as the ruins of an earlier fortification located south facing Ermita.

Through the centuries, the walls went through different stages of reconstruction. Gates, bulwarks, moats, parapets, and drawbridges were added. The site suffered damages and destruction from natural and manmade disasters too. Thankfully, the walls of Intramuros remained intact due to the continuous efforts of preserving the structures.

via Inquirer.net / Edgar Allan M. Sembrano