Revisiting Fort Santiago

An error understanding a news feature got me serendipitously revisiting Fort Santiago last Maundy Thursday, tagging along my girlfriend. Though unplanned, we had a brief chance to step back into Hispanic times.

Our Two Tickets to Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is part of the Walled City of Intramuros who played a key role in the history of the Philippines especially during the colonial times.

Not much have changed since the last time I visited Fort Santiago way back in 1996. Well, as far as my memory serves me. Entrance fee for adults is only Php 75.00 each.

Fort Santiago is 16th century military fortress, built strategically at the mouth of Pasig River. It served to protect the walled city of Intramuros and Manila. The only thing I know about the Fort is that this is the place where our national hero, Jose Rizal, was incarcerated while standing trial for sedition against Spain.

I think that the Fort's best historical feature is the Rizal Shrine, a reconstruction of the colonial period barracks where Rizal was confined. It is now a museum. However, the Shrine was closed on that day.

Apart from Rizal, the Fort also stood witness to many unnamed martyrs and heroes of war marked by a Memorial Cross.

That probably spooked me and Tintin while we were in the Dungeons area.

Other photos inside Fort Santiago.

Tintin got an immediate liking to the calesa, insisting that she ought to have photos with those. We inquired about the fees for a ride and found 50 pesos/per head for two laps around the main plaza too high.

We definitely not have enough feel of history and the Philippines in the older days. We look forward into visiting other historical sites like Fort Santiago in the country as we continue to tour the Philippines.

To history buffs out there, what other historical site in the Philippines should we visit next?