Kyle Magnuson

California - United States of America - 26-Jan-25 -

My first thought when exploring the fortifications and the Colonial heart of Manila was this must be difficult to preserve. The vegetation seemed like it was overtaking the ruins. Moreover, some parts of the fortifications were crumbling or collapsing in on itself. Considering other climate factors such as total rainfall in a year, Intramuros has unique challenges to address before producing a nomination dossier. My visit to Manila was May 2011 and perhaps the conservation within the historic district has improved.

Intramuros was previously on the Philippines tentative list and rejected in 1989. There are a lot of superlatives in the UNESCO description, such as 'exemplary' town planning that is 'exceptionally' intact, 'revolutionary' intermarriage of Western and New World . . . , 'remarkable' product of early modern Western fortification science, 'unparalleled' and a 'masterstroke' of Colonial urban planning. What can be noticed by any visitor is the grid layout of the streets, the San Agustin Church (WHS) within the walled city, Fort Santiago adjacent to the Pasig River, and Rizal Park abutting the Southern boundary. The existence of 'Intramuros Golf Club' in the buffer zone may pose problems with ICOMOS, since many of the best views of the walls are actually from the greens.

Another Tentative List update by the Philippines in 2024 was 'Corregidor Island and Historic Fortifications of Manila Bay'. One might argue that this nomination should be incorporated together with the Colonial Urban Plan and Fortifications of the Walled City of Manila. The current criteria for the Walled City of Manila is focused on urban planning and one of the most extensive colonial fortifications in Southeast Asia, while Corregidor Island is more focused on the facilitation of the Manila Galleon Trade and advancements in military fortress architecture.

While I may be skeptical of this sites potential OUV, I could see how it might eventually be inscribed. I had a pleasant time exploring the fortifications, including areas within the walled city, and with progress regarding conservation / management visitors will likely better appreciate Manila's centuries old historic district.

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