Intramuros (the name means "within the walls") was founded in 1571 as the administrative and ecclesiastical capital of the Spanish Philippines. The massive stone walls — up to four metres thick in places — were built over the following centuries to defend against Chinese pirates, Dutch naval attacks, and British invasion. In 1762, the British actually captured Manila; the walls held the final Spanish resistance for weeks.
Today the walls are largely intact and can be walked along their top for views over Manila Bay, the Pasig River, and the golf course that now occupies much of the interior. The baluartes (bastions) at the corners are mostly accessible. Revellin de Recoletos preserves original Spanish stonework. The northwest corner of the walls faces the bay and catches good sunsets. The walls and Fort Santiago together constitute the most historically intact area of old Manila.