When the Spanish came to Manila, they built a small walled city for themselves within Manila. Only the Spanish and mestizos, or people with Spanish blood running in their veins, could live inside the walls. These people belonged to the upper or ruling classes of society of that colonial era.
The whole Intramuros is so rich in history that it has been said that each and every stone and grain of salt has its own story to tell. This is almost true as every building, church, and office inside the walls has its own version of its own history within Manila. The walls of Intramuros have been destroyed by man and nature many times. It has been destroyed during World War II between the Americans and the Japanese. Back then, only the building of the San Agustin church and the monastery was left standing. Fire and natural forces like earthquakes have also brought Intramuros' walls down, which has also continued to be restored and brought back to life.