Tag Archives: Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago Dungeon is now open

Leave a reply

Fort Santiago will reopen its gate to the public beginning February 10 after the success of the biggest architectural festival held in the country this month.

Fort Santiago was the central headquarters of colonial military high command, its dungeons assumed a notorious image.

Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration/

Black legend surrounding this prison facility states that as the tide rose, prisoners would drown or suffocate as the water depleted the air in the chambers. However, this legend remains a legend for we now know that despite being near a body of water, the entire dungeon facility is actually above sea level, and that the entire cavern complex is actually a small hollowed-out hill adjacent to the Baluarte de Santa Barbara.

Meantime, here’s the updated Intramuros Sites and Museums Admission Fees for your reference.

Right click on the image to enlarge. Image credit: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration/

Mementoes of Jose Rizal

Leave a reply

"The Rizal Shrine houses a museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."

“The Rizal Shrine houses a museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed.”

How time flies! It’s been two years since we visited Jose Rizal Shrine at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. We were like walking through the glorious past of our national hero by seeing the mementoes and artworks inside glass boxes.  We didn’t see any musical instrument like a jimmy page les paul encapsulated in one of those glass boxes, but there are several manuscripts of books and poems for all generations to see. There could be a music sheet in one of those manuscripts for Jose Rizal can do or write about anything during his time.

Fort Santiago visit

3 Replies

Going out in the scorching heat of the sun is not advisable health-wise, but two Saturdays ago, we were blessed with partly cloudy skies that we were able to go out and visit Fort Santiago. We’ve been planning to visit this place for the longest time. But it was only realized last April 13.

The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or Manila Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Manila. Have a Kalesa trip via this horse-drawn carriage (right photo) in Intramuros.

We were like tourists visiting the place for the first time. While I was busy taking some pictures on our way to Fort Santiago, hubby was explaining something to the kids about the Manila Cathedral.

Tickets are still affordable.
Mom and Dad alone
Mom and Dad

The kids don’t want their photographs taken with these life-size cardboard standees (left photo), so it’s just hubby and me.

“One of the oldest Hispanic stone fortresses in the country. In pre-colonial times, this was the site of Rajah Soliman’s “kuta” or fort. The Spaniards under the term of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinaz fortified what was originally stone structures.”(Taken from a flyer handed out at ticket booth.)
The Rizal Shrine.This is where Dr. Jose Rizal spend his last few days after he was convicted for sedition. At present, "Rizal Shrine serves as museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."
Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last few days inside this cell before his execution on December 30, 1896. His “last footsteps” were immortalized through these bronze footprints.
"The Rizal Shrine houses a museum where mementoes of the hero can be viewed."
Inside the shrine is a museum where Jose Rizal memorabilia are found.
The memorial cross represents the demise of a total 600 Filipinos inside Forth Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as execution chamber of political prisoners from Spanish to Japanese period.
The memorial cross represents the demise of 600 Filipinos inside Fort Santiago during the Second World War. The dungeon served as an execution chamber of political prisoners from the Spanish to Japanese period.
Bombs and cannon at Fort Santiago. The tranvia is a replica of the pre-war street cars in Manila.
Bombs and cannon at Fort Santiago. The Tranvia is a replica of the pre-war streetcars in Manila.
All tired, but happy.
All tired, but happy.

I would not trade the smile and laughter that the family shared while we were at the park. We went home tired but brought with us an experience that we will always cherish.

Fort Santiago is located at Plaza San Luiz Complex, Cor. Real and General Luna Sts.
For inquiry call: Intramuros Visitors Center at Tel. 5272961; 5271572