The FORT
Fort Santiago
The fort is one of the most important historical sites in Manila. Several lives were lost in its prisons during the Spanish Colonial Period and World War II. José Rizal, one of the Philippine national heroes, was imprisoned here before his execution in 1896. The Rizal Shrine museum displays memorabilia of the hero in their collection and the fort features, embedded onto the ground in bronze, his footsteps representing his final walk from his cell to the location of the actual execution.
Rizal Shrine
The Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago was built in honor of the Philippine’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Fort Santiago in Intramuros used to be a Spanish military fortress that imprisoned many Filipinos and Americans during the Spanish Colonial Period and World War II. The most famous prisoner was Rizal.
Rizal Shrine Museum
The museum was built in 1953 and was modernized in 2013. In the Rizal Shrine, memorabilia such as Rizal’s books, medical instruments, coat, hat, even business cards and many more are displayed.
Almacenes Reales
Almacenes Reales or Royal Warehouses were built in 1591 and use as storehouses for goods unloaded along the pasig river. Almacen remained in use until the building was renovated as soldiers quarters after the 1863 earthquake.
The Dungeon
Bastion de San Lorenzo also doubled as a dungeon, where Jose Rizal was confined prior to his execution, and where thousands suffered lingering torture and death at the hands of the Japanese kempeitai during the short but brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It is located at the northern end of Intramuros. The fort was severely damaged during WW II. It is in fact a ruin which was transformed into a nice and interesting historical park.
On November 3, 1896, Dr. Jose Rizal arrived in Manila on board the transport Colon and was taken into custody in Fort Santiago. Here's a replica of Dr. Jose Rizal while he is in his jail and here you can see the start of his step towards Bagumbayan. It is located near the Rizal Shrine Museum and tunnel where a seaport can be seen during Rizal's time.
Baluarte de Santa Barbara
The Baluarte de Santa Barbara, set at the extreme northwest of Fort Santiago, overlooks the Pasig River. The Falsabraga de Media Naranja, a semicircular gun platform now free of guns, extends in a semicircle over the water. Under the Baluarte lies the Bastion de San Lorenzo, which stored artillery and weapons in Spanish and American times.
Rajah Sulayman Theater
Rajah Sulayman Theater (Dulaang Rajah Sulayman) is an open air theater under the grounds of Fort Santiago which was ruins of a former Spanish military barracks. It had served as a highly atmospheric setting for contemporary theater-in-the-round productions by PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). It was designed and conceptualized by Guidote. It was named Rajah Sulayman in honor of the leader of the Mohammedan Malays who first inhabited the area. The “Rajah Sulayman Theater” is in Gen. Luna St. Cor. Sta. Clara St. Fort Santiago Intramuros, 655 Zone 69, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila.
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda's Final Steps
As Visitors enter Fort Santiago metal footsteps are engrave on the ground. This is to embed The Philippine National Hero's final steps as he walk to his death in Luneta Park on December 30 , 1896.
Visiting Time
Fort Santiago is open daily from 8am to 6pm, but many travelers choose to visit in the morning when the weather is still relatively cool, ending the visit with a shaded picnic lunch. The Rizal Shrine within the fort has limited hours on Mondays.
Entance Fee
Young/ Students = Php 50
Adult= Php 75
How to Get to Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago is located on Santa Clara Street along the Pasig River near Rizal Park. The easiest and most convenient way to visit the fort is on a guided tour of Old Manila, but it's also possible to go on your own via public transportation. If you're riding the LRT, get off at Central Station and make the short walk to the fort entrance, or get off at Carriedo Station and ride a jeepney toward Mabini. The driver can let you off near the gate.
Alternative Route
Route 1: LRT1-Jeep Take the LRT1 to Carriedo station. Ride a jeep to Pier, and get off at Intramuros. Landmark is Palacio del Gobernador.
Route 2: LRT1-Jeep Take the LRT1 to Carriedo station. Ride a jeep to Lawton/SM City Hall, and get off at Manila City Hall. Cross the street using the underpass, away from Manila City Hall towards Intramuros.
