Manila Historical Tourist Attractions: Plaza San Luis Location: Intramuros, Manila Description: Named after one of the old barrios of old Intramuros, this is a cultural-cum-commercial complex currently composed of five houses - Casa Manila, Casa Urdaneta, Casa Blanca, Los Hidalgos and El Hogar Filipino. Plaza Ruis will eventually consist of 9 houses representing different eras in Filipino - Hispanic architecture. Aside from gift and specialty shops, the complex has a museum at Casa Manila, containing late 19th century and early 20th century furniture found in a typical Filipino illustrado or the priviledged class home. How to get there?: From Mabini and Pedro Gil Sts., hail a PUJ bound to the "Pier" and get off at the Bonifacio Drive intersection. From here, Plaza San Luis is a 10 minutes walk going towards Aduana St. As an alternative route, one can take any pier bound PUJ in Quezon City and get off at Aduana Street. Travel Time: Approximately 25 minutes (from Manila). Approximately an hour (from Quezon City) Fort Santiago Location: Intramuros, Manila Description: Which marks its entrance on the northwestern trip to Intramuros, started in 1571 and completed nearly 150 years later by Filipino forced labor. The pre Spanish settlement of Rajah Sulayman was a wooden fort on the ashes of which was built the Spanish fortress which was Spain`s major defense position in the islands. It looked out on the sea, towards which is canons were trained to ward off pirates and invaders. Also known as the "Shrine of Freedom", in memory of the heroic Filipinos imprisoned and killed here during the Spanish and Japanes eras. Partly rebuilt from the ruins of World War II, it is now a park and premonade housing a resident theater company - PETA which has used ramparts, old garison and small chapel, as theaters for both traditional and modern plays. How to get there?: From T.M. Kalaw St., walk to Mabini or Pedro Gil Sts. and hail a PUJ bound for the pier and get off at the Bonifacio Drive Intersection. From here, Fort Santiago is a five minute walk going towards Aduana Street. Travel Time: Approximately 25 minutes. Rizal Shrine Location: Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila Description: The restored shrine inside Fort Santiago houses Rizaliana items in memory of the Phiilppines` national hero. Jose RIzal spent his last few days here before he was executed on December 30, 1896. Among the objects exhibited are various books and manuscripts by and about the national hero; sketches, paintings, wood carvings and sculp
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