History of Architecture 4

The Law of
Indies
SPANISH TOWN PLANNING AND ITS
APPLICATION TO THE PHILIPPINES

CABCABIN, DAANOY, ONG, PARAGSA

Points of Discussion
Topics to be Covered

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

RULES AND REGULATIONS
INFLUENCE AND APPLICATION TO TOWN PLANNING

SPANISH PERIOD PLANNING LAYOUT OF THE PHILIPPINES

INTRAMUROS (MANILA)
PARIAN (CEBU)
PLAZA INDEPENDENCIA & FORT SAN PEDRO
BASILICA DEL SANTO NIÑO & MAGELLLAN’S CROSS PAVILION

2020 | DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

 HISTORY & LAW OF INDIES
INTRODUCTION Its representative planning system of the Spanish colonies is the
Ordinances of Philip II or called the Laws of the indies, which were
issued in 1573 by the King, Philip II

Also known as the "Leyes de Indias", were royal decrees during

Spanish colonialism, regulating territories like the Philippines and
influencing their town planning.

These laws were comprehensive which covered Land Allocation,

Urban Development, Governance, and Indigenous Rights

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 - LAW OF INDIES

RULES AND
REGULATIONS
1. GRID PATTERN LAYOUT
2. WIDTH AND ORIENTATION OF THE STREET
3. BUILDING MATERIALS
4. THE USE OF PUBLIC SPACES
5. WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 - LAW OF INDIES

 INFLUENCE
INFLUENCE Before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, the
town planning and urban development were largely

AND influenced by the indigenous cultures of the

archipelago.

APPLICATION These settlements were not designed based on a formal

plan or grid, but rather were influenced by the natural
features of the landscape, with houses and structures
located in relation to available resources.

APPLICATION
Streets & Alleys in Straight Grid Pattern
Formal Town Planning
The use of Central Plaza and Important Public
Buildings Surrounding It
European Style Architecture
Introduction of a New Social Hierarchy

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 4 - LAW OF INDIES

 SPANISH PERIOD
LAYOUT OF THE
TOWN PLANNING IN
THE PHILIPPINES
Manila & Cebu
Intramuros: The Walled intramuros is a historic walled city in Manila, Philippines
which means “within walls”. This was a fortified city
founded at the mouth of the Pasig River shortly after

City 1571 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

MANILA

it was built by the

Spaniards – more
specifically by Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi –
and is bound on all
sides by moats and
thick, high walls, with
some over 6 metres
high.

the towns and

arrables (suburbs)
located beyond the
walls are referred to as
“extramuros
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN INTRAMUROS

FORT
SANTIAGO
INTRAMUROS
A defense structure located at the
Mouth of Pasig River which guards the
whole city.

Fort Santiago was the military

headquarters for the Spanish, British
(1762–1764), Americans (1898–1964), and
Japanese (1942–1945) during their
occupations.

Used as a military establishment

during the Spanish Colonial Era, and
Prsion Space during the World War II
by the Americans
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN INTRAMUROS

PLAZA DE ROMA
(PLAZA MAYOR)
The principal public
square of Intramuros
was known as Plaza
Mayor during the
Spanish colonial era.

At the center of the

plaza is the
monument of King
Charles IV of Spain,
erected in 1824 but
replaced in 1961 with a
monument to the
hero-martyrs Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora
(GomBurZa).
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN INTRAMUROS

CHURCHES
Old Intramuros had 7
churches which are:
Manila Cathedral, San
Agustin, Santo
Domingo, San
Francisco, San Nicolas San Agustin Church
de Tolentino, San
Ignacio and Lourdes

Churches and
Cathedrals are
prominent in
Intramuros

Manila Cathedral
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN INTRAMUROS

CASA The Casa Manila or

“Manila House” is a
AYUNTAMIENTO de MANILA
&
MANILA. living museum that
features the lifestyle of
an affluent Filipino
PALACIO del GOBERNADOR
One of the three first family during the late
residences in Intramurous Spanish colonial
together with: Casa El The Palacio del
period
Hogar and Casa Urdaneta Gobernador, the
official residence and
office of the governor
generals, to the west,
the Manila Cathedral
to the south, and the
Ayuntamiento de
Manila, the seat of the
Manila City Council, to
the east, encircling
Plaza de Roma.
INTRAMUROS
TODAY.
Intramuros has
withstood and
repelled countless
attacks throughout
history because of
its size and
carefully thought-
out strategic
infrastructure.
Attempts by the
Dutch, Portuguese,
and Chinese to
breach the fortified
city were all
unsuccessful.
SPANISH PERIOD PLANNING
OF CEBU
The town planning of Cebu was also
influenced by the Law of Indies. From
strategic planning of the different
buildings required and following the
grid street pattern to the creation of
defense and fortification, it shows an
outline based on the Law.

mage on the left shows a map of the port areas of Cebu based on the
M.s in Museo - Biblioteca de Ultramar in Madrid. Sites indicated are
the following: 1 - Fuerza de San Pedro; 2 - Quarteles y Casa Real; 3 -
Iglesia u Colegio de la Compañia de Jesus; 4 - Iglesia S. Juan Bautista
de Parian; 5 - Casa de Cabildo; 6 - Casas Episcopales; 7 - Catedral; 8 -
Iglesia y Convento de Sto. Niño; 9 - Iglesia y Convento de la
Concepcion; & 10 - Parian de los Sangleyes
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN CEBU

FORT SAN PEDRO

PLAZA
INDEPENDENCIA
In 1600, the plaza was
first knwon as Plaza de
Armas. Used as a
parade ground and
training area for soldiers.

There are cannons

positioned facing the
sea, and a strong
wooden barrier stands
in front. The three known to be the oldest and the
bastions were named smallest fort in the Philippines
La Concepcion, Ignacio Covers an area of 2,025 square meters
de Loyola, and San Walls are measured 20ft by 8ft
Miguel.
PLAZA PARIAN (PLAZA MAYOR)
CEBU

The Chinese community in Cebu

started around 1590, near the
Spanish city's north side, linked to
the sea by an estuary. Parian, the
Chinese district, became a trading
hub during Cebu's brief
participation in the galleon trade in
the 1590s.

The phrase "pari-pari," which means

to barter or trade, is where Plaza
Parian acquired its name. It is
Cebu's oldest neighborhood.
Chinese laborers and business
owners lived in "Parian" ghettos
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN CEBU

AYUNTAMIENTO
DE CEBU
Ayuntamiento de
Cebu is a town hall
located on the
Northern Side of the
Plaza which serves The Parian Church is located on the eastern
as the government side of the plaza and is considered as the first
building that is Catholic Church built in the Philippines.
made up of the
officials including Through the church, it showed its colonial
the governor, the power and influence as this was used as a
alcaldes, and the symbol by the Spaniards.
like.

CHURCH OF ST.
AUGUSTINE
DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN CEBU

PARIAN MARKET
DISTRICT &
BARRIOS DE INDIOS
The Parian Market is Barrios de Indios served
located within the district as homes for Filipino
where it is designated for people which have
chinese traders and serves houses made of bamboo
as a trading hub between and thatched roofs
Chinese and Spanish
Communities in Cebu

*Reduccion - A forced resettlement policy bu the Spanish colonizers by which aimed to

consolidate colonial control over Philippines indigenous communities by forcing them
to relocate to the town within the hearing distance of the church bells, which marked
the territorial holdings of the church
BASILICA DEL
SANTO NIÑO
Santo Niño Basilica also called the Basilica
del Santo Niño, is one of the most well-
known sites in Cebu. The church houses the
image of the Santo Niño, the city’s patron
saint that represents Jesus as a black Holy
Child.

MAGELLAN’S CROSS
Magellan’s Cross Pavilion was constructed in the 1800's. It is
composed of coral stone. A stunning painting depicting Ferdinand
Magellan planting the wooden cross and Rajah Humabon’s
baptism is painted on the pavilion’s ceiling.
It is a religious pilgrimage that honors the introduction of
Christianity to the region.
 PERSONAL
DISCUSSION
CABCABIN, DAANOY, ONG, PARAGSA
History of Architecture 4

Sources:
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