Manila Travel Guide - History

Its location between the Manila Bay and the Pasig River made it a small but lucrative trading port, a position it continued to enjoy for the first few decades of the Spanish occupation.

When Governor-General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi heard of this prosperous little town, he sent a fleet to take over Maynilad. Led by Marshall Martin de Goiti and Captain Juan de Salcedo, the troops arrived in 1570 but were unsuccessful in conquering the town. A second expedition was sent in 1571 and this time Manila fell into the hands of the Spaniards.

The newly formed city became known as Intramuros, a name it would keep for three hundred years. Intramuros flourished between 1571 and 1815, forging a lucrative partnership with Mexico via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.

After the initial Spanish conquests, the city was besieged by fleets from various nations and even witnessed a brief and confined British Occupation from 1762 to 1764.

Manila finally got back on its feet along with the rest of the country with the declaration of Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946. Since then, it has grown into one of the Philippines' premier cities, living up to its role as the country's capital with its bustling commercial and trade centres.

Today, Manila is a city brimming with life and steeped in culture, a perfect testament to the Filipinos' unrivalled resilience and the country's colourful history.