The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica (also known as the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and informally as Manila Cathedral was originally built in 1581. The eighth and current incarnation of the cathedral was completed in 1958 and was consecrated as a minor basilica in 1981 by Pope John Paul II.

Intramuros is the oldest district and historic core of Manila. Nicknamed the 'Walled City'; the fortified Intramuros was the full extent of the City of Manila and the seat of government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin; intramuros; literally means 'within the walls'. Districts beyond the walls of Manila were referred to as extramuros; literally 'outside the walls.'

The city was located then along Manila Bay and south of the Pasig River entrance; before 20th-century reclamations obscured the city from the bay. Guarding the city is Fort Santiago; a citadel located at the mouth of the river. Construction of its thick defensive walls were started by the Spaniards in the late 16th century to protect the seat of the Spanish government from foreign invasions (most notably British and Dutch) and raiding Chinese sea pirates.