Plaza San Luis in Intramuros is a small courtyard in the middle of a reproduction of a 19th century Spanish mansion. Fountains became a feature of these grand homes when running water came to Manila in 1882. During the Spanish colonial era, the entire complex would have belonged to one wealthy family with living quarters for their servants, a garage for a carriage or two and storage rooms. Today, the Plaza San Luis complex is a mix of cultural and commercial establishments. It has a small art gallery and souvenir shop, and the restaurant Barbara’s, popular as a wedding reception venue for those who get married in the Manila Cathedral or San Agustin Church, is on the third floor and roofdeck. A large part of the building is occupied by Casa Manila, a colonial lifestyle museum which recreates a home of the privileged class of the era. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in antiques, home design or the history of Manila.
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