Philippine Travel Guide places, food and events

A defense fortress built for Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, that’s what Fort Santiago is built for in 1571. The Fort Santiago (Fuerza de Santiago in Spanish) is shielded by 22 meter high walls, with a thickness of 8 meters and an entrance measuring 40 meters high making it the premier defense fortress by the Spanish Government.

Our National hero Dr. Jose Rizal was detained here before executed in Bagumbayan (Luneta) in 1896. Fort Santiago was also used as a fortress by the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II and received heavy damage during the Battle of Manila from the bombs dropped by the American Troops.

As of today, Fort Santiago is one of the finest tourist attraction in Manila. It serves as a museum presenting historical facts from the Spanish era. It also has a room called Rizal shrine wherein the national hero was detained.