Gates of Intramuros

"Puerta" redirects here. For other uses, see Puerta (disambiguation).

The Gates of Intramuros refer to the original gates of the Walled City of Intramuros in Manila, built during the Spanish Colonial Era in the Philippines. The gates are called by the original Spanish word for "gate", Puerta (plural: Puertas).

Gates facing the west

Puerta de Banderas

This gate was built in 1662 as the Governor-General's gate when the first Governor's palace was still located in Fort Santiago. It was destroyed during an earthquake and was never rebuilt.

Puerta de Postigo

Postigo means "postern" or a small gate in Spanish. This gate was named after the nearby Palacio del Gobernador.[1] The first postigo was built several meters away but was walled up in 1662 when the present gate was constructed. The gate was then renovated in 1782 under the direction of military engineer Tomas Sanz.[2] The gate leads to the palaces of the Governor-General and Archbishop of Manila. The national hero of the Philippines Jose Rizal passed through this gate from Fort Santiago to his execution at Bagumbayan field on December 30, 1896. It was damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945 and restored in 1968. The bridge was excavated and restored from 1982-1983.

Puerta de Sta. Lucia

This is one of the original entrances to the Walled City when it was built in 1603. It underwent improvements in the late 18th century including the addition of two side chambers added during renovations done by Governor-General Jose Basco y Vargas (1778-1787). A wooden marker commemorating the gate's new appearance was later installed over the entrance.[3] Puerta de Sta. Lucia became favored as an entry point to Malecon Drive, a promenade area along the shore of Manila Bay. Puerta de Sta. Lucia was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945 to allow the entry of American tanks into the city. The entire gate was demolished when road access to the city from the southern side was needed. The chambers were restored in 1968 and the gate was reconstructed in 1982.[4]

Gate facing the south

Puerta Real

Puerta Real

The original Real Gate (Royal Gate) was built in 1663 at the end of Calle Real de Palacio (now General Luna Street) and was used exclusively by the Governor-General for state occasions. It was located west of Baluarte de San Andres and faced the old village of Bagumbayan. It was destroyed during the British invasion of 1762 along with the removal of the village. The Puerta Real was rebuilt in 1780 and moved further west to its present location as part of the new defense plan for Intramuros. During the Battle of Manila, the gate was damaged. It was restored in 1969 with additional work made in 1989.

Gate facing the east

Puerta de Parian

Puerta del Parian

The gate was named after the "Parian de Arroceros", one of the earliest concentrations of Chinese merchants located across the city where the Metropolitan Theater now stands. Built in 1593, it is one of the earliest entrances to Intramuros. It became the official entrance of the Governor-General in 1764, following the destruction of Puerta Real during the British invasion. It was here that the newly appointed Governor-General received the keys of the city from the Cabildo.[5] The Parian gate was severely damaged by artillery shelling during the Battle of Manila. Restoration begun in 1967 and completed in 1982.

Gates facing the north

Puerta de Almacenes

It was built in 1690 for trading with the other side of the river and continually renovated until its completion in 1739. The gate lasted until 1903 when American military engineers demolished the walls for widening the river wharves along Intramuros.

Puerta de Santo Domingo/Puerta de Aduana

This gate named after the nearby Santo Domingo Church, was built in the 18th century during the renovation of the riverside defenses. It opened to the river wharves, but the American engineers tore down the gate & fortification in 1903 to open a road to Intramuros from Magallanes Drive.

Puerta Isabel II

Puerta de Isabel II

The last gate to be built in Intramuros was opened in 1861 as a solution to the heavy pedestrian traffic outside Parian Gate to the Puente de Espana (Bridge of Spain) and Binondo.[6] Located in front of it is the Queen Isabel II statue honoring the then reigning Spanish monarch. The gate became part of the route of the tranvía (streetcar) that started in 19th century Manila. It was damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945 and restored in 1966.

References

  1. ↑ Torres, Jose Victor. Ciudad Murada. Vibal Publishing House, Inc. p. 21. ISBN 971-07-2276-X.
  2. ↑ Torres, Jose Victor. Ciudad Murada. Vibal Publishing House, Inc. p. 21. ISBN 971-07-2276-X.
  3. ↑ Torres, Jose Victor. Ciudad Murada. Vibal Publishing House. p. 25. ISBN 971-07-2276-X.
  4. ↑ Torres, Jose Victor. Ciudad Murada. Vibal Publishing House. p. 25. ISBN 971-07-2276-X.
  5. ↑ Torres, Jose Victor. Ciudad Murada. Vibal Publishing House, Inc. p. 43. ISBN 971-07-2276-X.
  6. ↑ Torres, Jose Victor. Ciudad Murada. Vibal Publishing House, Inc. p. 47. ISBN 971-07-2276-X.

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