Fort San Pedro: Trip to the past

Fort San Pedro or Fuerza de San Pedro named after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's flagship, was built in 1738 to repel Muslim Raiders, is the smallest oldest triangular bastion fort in the Philippines. It's has 2,025 sq meter area, 20 ft high, 8 feet thick walls and stands 30 feet from the ground.

An official report sent to King Philip II of Spain, described the Fort as, triangular in shape made of stone and mortar w/ 3 bastion, 2 of which are facing the sea: La Concepcion on the southwest side and  Ignacio de Loyola on the southeast and the third one facing the land: San Miguel on the North East side.

It is one of the most visited historical place in Cebu.

A visit will give you flashbacks of how the Fort served the different Eras.

• 1565- It served as "the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines."
• 1896- 1898 - Then became a prison for local rebels during Philippine Revolution.
• 1898- It served as an American Warwick Barrack during American Regim after it was turned over to Cebuanos by American Commodore George Dewey, days after the battle of Manila ended on May1, 1898.
• 1937- 1941 - It was used as classrooms where Cebuanos received formal education.
• 1941-1945- Then, during World War II it became a prison camp and fortification for Japanese soldiers
• 1946- 1950 -  It became a hospital and army camp, during the battle for liberation.
• 1950- Cebu Garden Club took over and turned the inner part into miniature garden while the upper deck served as offices for government agencies
• In 1957 the front courtyard was used as a zoo.
• 1968 it underwent restorations. Coral Stones from under the sea of Cebu's coastal Towns were used to make it as close to the original as possible.
• 1978-1993 The fort housed the offices of Department of Tourism and Philippine Tourism Authority.

NOW, on present times. Fort San Pedro serves as a museum park where it showcases Spanish artifacts, San Diego's shipwreck and Fort San Pedro's diggings.





walls

We went there late afternoon, it perfect hanging out in their beautiful garden. We enjoyed some fresh air and some nature tripping coz place has lots of plants and flowers inside. This place is also used thousand times for prenuptial pics.

NATIONAL MUSEUM

some of the paintings in the museum

UPPER DECK



If you want to travel time, and learn our history the fun way. Fort San Pedro is a must destination to go in Cebu.

LOCATION: Barangay San Roque Cebu City, near pier 1
                      Landmarks: Front- Plaza Independencia
                      Side: Cebu Central Post

OPENS:  Everday
                8:00 AM - 8:00 PM



                                                       FEES:   Regular - 30 php               
                                                                    Senior Citizens - 24 php                
                                                                    Students and Children- 20 php

Mactan Shrine

In my search for a tourist spots here in Cebu, I didn't have to look far, raised and living here in Lapu-lapu City for 29 years is but appropriate to start searching around this small beautiful island.

Mactan Shrine or Liberty Shrine, is one of the most visited historical landmark or attraction in Cebu province, located along the boundaries of the village of Punta Engano and Mactan. The Shrine was made in honor of  Datu Lapu lapu.

Here you can find three significant monuments, the Magellan Marker, Magellan Shrine and Lapu-Lapu Shrine.


The Magellan Marker.

"LAPULAPU.

Here on 27 April 1521 Lapu Lapu and his men repulsed the Spanish invaders, killing their leader Ferdinand Magellan, thus LapuLapu became the first Filipino that have repelled European Invasion"

On the other side of the headstone:

On the wall hanged a mural painting depicting the Battle of Mactan. April 27,1521. Between the native warriors commanded by Datu Lapu-Lapu and Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan.

An annual celebration "Kadaugan sa Mactan", a reenactment of the Battle of Mactan is held on this same spot every 27th of April.

Magellan's Shrine

Magellan Shrine

Statue of Lapu-Lapu

20-meter bronze statue of Datu Lapu-Lapu, Philippines first National Hero

This historical place is very well maintained and has become a park/ plaza where anybody could hang out for free.  There are stalls inside selling things for souvenirs, from shirt, shell crafts to keychains. Outside the plaza is where SUTUKIL is, where you can eat fresh seafood.

PhoebeCarla