Let’s Explore Manila : Fort Santiago

After exploring the different streets of Intramuros, we headed to one of its premier tourist attractions and one of the most important historical sites in Manila, the Fort Santiago. Fort Santiago is one of the oldest fortifications in Manila which was built in 1571.
20170101_163800tThe gate of Fort Santiago has been a common sight for me because the Grand Marian procession usually held in front of this area (along the Plaza Moriones) but the last time I went inside was decades ago! I think I was in kindergarten and it was part of our Field trip and I can barely remember anything about Fort Santiago.
20170101_164005tThe first fort was built from logs and earth but was destroyed in Limahong Attack in 1574. The Stone fort was built between 1589 to 1592. Much like any of the defensive structures in Intramuros, the Fort Santiago was also destroyed during the Battle of Manila. Many people were imprisoned here during the Spanish period and the second world war and many lives were lost here as well. Even our national hero , Dr Jose Rizal was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896.
20170101_164101tThe gate of Fort Santiago was one of the structures that was utterly destroyed but was reconstructed and renovated to place it back to its former glory. The 40ft high gate was adorned with many notable details. The top most portion lies the image of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) where the fort was named after. Under the image of Saint James is the Coat of Arms of Spain.IMG_0087tOutside the gate, you’ll find a moat which passes through the Pasig River
20170101_160848tUnlike the other Baluarte in Intramuros, the Fort Santiago is not freely accessible. There is an entrance fee of Php75 per head and I think it is very reasonable considering that they are constantly making efforts to restore and preserve the place.

BALUARTILLO AND REDUCTO DE SAN FRANCISCO JAVIER
20170101_162427The Plaza Moriones was currently under construction when we went there but the first structure that you will notice after passing through the ticket booth is the Baluartillo and Reducto De San Francisco Javier
20170101_162018tUnderneath the Baluartillo is a tunnel that is supposed to take you to the Reducto De San Francisco Javier. I’m not sure if the tunnel is publicly accessible but there seem to be another way going to the reducto where the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located.
20170101_162325tYou can get a great top view of the Reducto De San Francisco Javier on top of the Baluartillo
20170101_162345tThe Shrine of Guadalupe is located at the center while the entire place is surrounded by thick walls and cannons facing the Pasig river.
20170101_162129tOne of the accessible areas on top of the baluartillo
20170101_162542tWalking along the side walks across the Plaza Moriones, you’ll spot some old and rusty canons on display20170101_162659t20170101_162651tI also spotted an Anchor near the Picnic Area

RUINS OF THE AMERICAN BARRACKS
20170101_163144tAnother interesting spot in Fort Santiago are the ruins of American barracks. It is basically an abandoned building and there’s really nothing much to see inside. It is not publicly accessible either so all you can do is to gaze at this historically significant structure.20170101_162923tIf they can only talk, they probably have so many stories to tell right? 20170101_163103tOn the main gate, there’s a marker stating that senator Elpidio Quirino was imprisoned in this building for 187 days in 1948.
20170101_162625t

JOSE RIZAL’S LAST FOOTSTEPS
20170101_164310tOnce you entered the Fort Santiago, the first thing you will notice are the metal footsteps. These footsteps were used to represent the final walk our national hero from his cell to the location of the actual execution.20170101_164330tI wasn’t able to count the steps though.

PLAZA DE ARMAS20170101_164345tAt the heart of Fort Santiago lies the spacious Plaza De Armas. It is one of two major plazas in Intramuros, the other being the central Plaza de Roma. Historical evidence may suggest that the plaza is the site where the wooden palisade of Rajah Sulayman, on top of which Fort Santiago was built, was located. The landscape of Plaza de Armas is not as colorful as Plaza Moriones (outside the Fort Santiago) and Plaza De Roma (in front of Manila Cathedral) but spacious enough to relax.
20170101_164459tIMG_0104tA statue of Jose Rizal at the heart of the Plaza De Armas

THE RIZAL SHRINE
20170101_164519tWe could have explored the Rizal Shrine in full extent but unfortunately, the site was closed for holiday. We failed to get the chance to enter the shrine but we were able to enjoy looking at those brick wall (ladrillo) ruins. 
20170101_164553tThese brick walls are said to be one of the oldest structures in Fort Santiago.This is also the site where Jose Rizal was imprisoned and the place where he wrote one of his masterpiece “Mi Ultimo Adios”20170101_164700t20170101_164649f

THE RAJAH SULAYMAN THEATER
20170101_170458tOpposite the Rizal Shrine is another interesting site. The ruins of Rajah Sulayman Theater.s an open air theater under the grounds of Fort Santiago which was ruins of a former Spanish military barracks. It had served as a highly atmospheric setting for contemporary theater-in-the-round productions by PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association).20170101_170613tThe ruins of Rajah Sulayman Theater , named in honor of the leader of the Mohammedan Malays who first inhabited the area.20170101_170917tIf lucky enough, you can also get a scenic view of the Pasig river20170101_170000t
20170101_173023tAfter taking a quick rest in Plaza De Armas, my brother and I decided to leave Intramuros and went to our hotel in Otis. We left Intramuros via Soriano Ave. We had an insane “kuliglig” ride going to our hotel and I will share all our experiences in my next #LetsExploreManila entry

UPDATE: According to Intramuros Administration, Fort Santiago is now OPEN DAILY stating from 8AM to 9PM

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In case you missed an entry, here are the rest of the entries you might want to read.

LET’S EXPLORE MANILA TRAVEL SERIES
►Let’s Explore Manila Prologue
►Journey to the Past – Intramuros Part 1
►Journey to the Past – Intramuros Part 2
►The Papier Tole Souvenir Shop
►Intramuros In Black and White
►Fort Santiago
►Go Hotel Otis : A Traveler-Friendly Budget Hotel In the Metro
►Paco Park and Cemetery
►The Historical Rizal Park (Luneta Park)
►The Rizal Execution Site
►The Chinese Garden
►The Manila Zoo and the Current Condition of Mali
►Baluarte De San Andres and Baluarte De San Diego of Intramuros
►The Seven Great Churches of Intramuros
►The Manila Baywalk

You may also want to visit my past Manila-related entries
►Manila Pilgrimage Tour
►A Trip To Binondo Series
►A Day With National Museum

 

One thought on “Let’s Explore Manila : Fort Santiago

  • April 12, 2017 at 8:49 am
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    It’s classic but you’ll never grow tired of this. It’s appeal is something. Sana lang the surrounding and the way going there is safe and clean.

    Reply

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