The Backpack Adventures

Located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila, San Agustin Church was built in 1589 making it the oldest stone church in the Philippines. In 1993, San Agustin Church together with three other Baroque churches in the country was declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Check the carvings on the door quite detailed huh? Looking for Chinese influence? Is that a puppy biting its mom? Unknown to many, the present structure is actually the third Augustinian church to be constructed on the site. The first San Agustin Church, built in 1571 was destroyed by fire in 1574 during the raid of the Chinese pirates led by Limahong. The oldest church in the country The second church, also made of wood was constructed soon after but was destroyed in 1583 when it was gutted y fire during the funeral of a Spanish Governor General. Another place worth checking out, Will blog this next time... The third and present church was constru

Located along General Luna Street in Paco district in the City of Manila, Paco Park and Cemetery is a recreational garden area which was once Manila's municipal cemetery during the Spanish colonial period. Inside Paco Park Paco Park Paco Park was originally a municipal cemetery for the well-off and established aristocratic Spanish families. The cemetery was built in the late 18th century but was completed several decades later in 1822. Paco Park = Former Paco Cemetery Paco Park entrance Entrance to the inner circular fort The cemetery has a circular shape, with an inner circular fort that was the original cemetery. As the population continued to grow, a second outer wall was built. A Roman Catholic chapel was built inside the walls of the park and it was dedicated to St. Pancratius. Here lies the three martyred priests -GOMBURZA Jose P. Rizal's original burial ground Can you guess what RPJ stands for?  The park was famously kno

Located at Sta. Lucia St. in the southern tip of the walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Baluarte de San Diego is part of the old Spanish Fort Nuestra Se ñora de Guia. Baluarte de San Diego Baluarte de San Diego details For those who don't know the history of Intramuros , allow me to give you a little bit of a history lesson. (Since I'm a history teacher and that's my job.)  Baluarte de San Diego - Intramuros, Manila Outside the gate of Baluarte de San  It all began when the Chinese pirates led by Limahong raided the then wooden Spanish fort of Intramuros in 1574. The need for stronger defense became an urgent priority for the Spanish. According to Governor-General Santiago de Vera , a stone fort with a watchtower would best serve the purpose. He assigned a Jesuit friar named Antonio Sede ño to oversee the project because of his knowledge of military architecture. The gardens and Baluarte de San Diego The stone fort was to be three tiers of circular