How to explore Fort Santiago

Found north of the famed city of Intramuros and bordering the waters of Pasig River is Fort Santiago. Built during the latter half of the 1500s, the Fort acted as a stronghold for the Spanish who plotted ways and means by which to influence the Far East. This iconic edifice represents the origins of the city of Manila and affords visitors a wonderful walk-through of a host of significant events and episodes that arose back in the day. Outlined below is a take on what you need to look out for when deciding to tour here.

Plaza Moriones

To access Fort Santiago, one will first need to purchase a ticket and for this purpose, one will be called upon to enter Plaza Moriones which once functioned as a public square before an earthquake forced the hands of Spanish Guardia Civil to fence it in 1864. Named after the 87th Spanish Governor General of the Philippines, Domingo Moriones y Murillo, entrants will witness life-sized statues of soldiers, monks and prominent personalities within the garden spaces that make up Plaza Moriones.

Gate of Fort Santiago

Make your way past Plaza Moriones and across the moat that bridges the Plaza and the actual entrance to the Fort where a magnificent gate with intricate carvings will warmly welcome you. The gate bears the royal seal of Spain together with a relief sculpture of St. James (Santiago Matamoros) on horseback depicted in battle with the Muslims which will serve as the perfect prelude to the many sights and sounds within.

Plaza de Armas

Complete with evidence of a storehouse and military barracks whose impacts have dwindled with time, the Plaza de Armas portrays a statue of the national hero of the Philippines at its very centre, Jose Rizal. However, within the ruins that dominate this section of the Fort, one will soon discover a fitting tribute to Jose Rizal in the form of a museum referred to as the Rizal Shrine. The museum successfully pieces together the life and times of Jose Rizal, his untimely death and the impact of his martyrdom on the Philippines’ fight for independence.

Baluarte de Santa Barbara

Nestled in the northwest corner of Fort Santiago, the Baluarte de Santa Barbara comes off as a sight for eyes which also overlooks the Pasig River. Part of its appeal is the semicircular gun platform called the Falsabraga de Media Naranja which juts out over the water and makes for a pleasing setting from where one may strike up a fancy pose or two. Holding a wealth of memories and that too for good reason, below the Baluarte de Santa Barbara is where the Bastion de San Lorenzo can be found which stored weapons and all forms of artillery during the times of old. Interestingly, the Bastion would also find fame in the heat of historians and culture buffs based on the fact that it was believed to have served as a dungeon where Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution. Further, the Bastion acted as a prison for thousands who suffered at the hands of the Japanese Kempeitai who were the military police of the Japanese army who occupied the Philippines for a brief period. The mass graves of the victims are located near a cross that stands facing the Plaza de Armas.

Reaching Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is an 8-minute walk from Manila Cathedral which requires intrepid travellers to cross Soriano Avenue en route to General Luna Street and an intersection with Santa Clara Street. The Fort is open on Mondays from 1 pm to 5 pm and Tuesdays to Sundays from 8 am to 5 pm respectively. The entrance fee stands at a mere PHP 100 per person (100 Philippine Pesos). In terms of an apartment for rent, the Pasay area has many options for travellers such as Citadines Bay City Manila from where Fort Santiago can be easily accessed.