FORT SATIAGO, in Manila's Intramuros, is a historic fort. Built by the Spanish in 1571, it served as a military base and prison. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero, was imprisoned there. Today, It's a park and museum, a poignant reminder of the Philippines' complex history.
You can see the Rizal Shrine, old dungeons, and impressive walls, It's a popular tourist spot.
Fort Santiago is open daily, typically from 8 AM to 6 PM, with an entrance fee, ₱75 for regular and ₱50 for student, seniors and PWDs Guided tours are available. The site offers a blend of history significance, architectural beauty, and serene green spaces, making it a compelling destination for visitors interested in Philippine history and culture.
The prison cells can only comfortably accommodate up to 100 people, but after World War II ended in 1945, American forces went into the dungeon and discovered around 600 decomposing bodies in the dungeons. The state of the corpses suggests that the victims were starved and tortured, and eventually died from head exhaustion and suffocation. The bodies were buried in a mass grave near the dungeons, which is marked by a white marble cross.
Before it was reopened to the public, the Intramuros administration had the chambers of the dungeons reinforced. While some of the walls have been preserved for over 400 years, around 70 percent have been reinforced or reconstructed.
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INTRAMUROS ADMINISTRATION
5/F Palacio del Gobernador, cor. Gen. Luna & A. Soriano Sts.
Intramuros, Manila
(02) 8527 3155
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