Spanish Colonial Splendor in Manila

You won’t need to buy plane tickets to Spain to experience breathtaking Spanish colonial architecture. Instead, consider a trip to the Philippines, where you can experience vibrant Asian cultures and influences as well as awe-inspiring Spanish churches. It was during the Spanish Golden Age that Spaniards colonized the Philippines, so some of the most impressive pieces of Spanish colonial architecture were constructed here. Find discount airfares and book cheap tickets to Manila to enjoy a taste of colonial Spain in the tropics.

The construction of Spanish churches in the Philippines coincided with Spanish baroque style, so many of the old churches in Manila are elaborately designed and decorated. Some of these churches were adapted to the Philippines’ location and constructed to be earthquake proof. In 1993, Manila received a UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction for “Baroque Churches of the Philippines” and has since been an increasingly popular destination for scholars and historians arriving on flights to Manila. The Intramuros district of Manila, literally meaning between the old city walls, is where many of the remaining churches are located. The stone city walls once extended for three miles around the former city boundaries in a pentagonal area, but were severely destroyed after devastating bombing during World War II. The first church built on the Philippine island of Luzon was the Church of the Immaculate Conception of San Agustin, constructed in 1571. This church, the first of many Augustinian religious structures, was refurbished several times, including renovations after the World War II bombings and the 1945 Battle of Manila. It holds the remains of several of the Spanish conquistadors who arrived in the Philippines. Fort Santiago, a defensive structure built to protect the new walled city site, was also created in 1571. This was once the military headquarters of the Spanish government on the islands. The gate of Fort Santiago has an immense wooden relief piece depicting St. James the Moor-Slayer, Spain’s patron saint. The Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, was also briefly imprisoned here and there is a monument and museum in the fort in his honor. A wealth of Spanish colonial history awaits you when you take advantage of cheap airfares for flights to Manila.

To see more of Manila’s Spanish legacy, check out the San Agustín Museum, right next to the church site. The Philippines are a fascinating destination for architecture buffs and have enough diverse attractions to please travelers of any taste. Historic Spanish colonial architecture is just one part of the cultural mosaic of Manila that you can explore with cheap airfare tickets. Check out plane tickets for cheap flights to Manila and enjoy your travels in the tropics!