WHAT TO SEE IN FORT SANTIAGO LOCATED INSIDE INTRAMUROS 

When you enter the main gates (where you pay a small entrance fee and where the horse carriages park), you pass through a park, Plaza Moriones, and a small bridge to find the St. James Gate—this is where the real adventure begins. 

Fort Santiago was founded by Miguel López de Legazpi and designed by Gomez Perez Dasmarinas. The walls surrounding Fort Santiago face the rest of the Intramuros attractions on one side, and the Pasig River on the other end. If you decide to proceed with touring Intramuros after visiting Fort Santiago, head over to the main entrance gate and turn left, passing through souvenir shops, then crossing two roads to find the historic Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church (a UNESCO heritage site located just about three roads further down).

WHAT HAPPENED IN FORT SANTIAGO & WHY IT IS IMPORTANT 

The fortress gained a negative reputation when its dungeons were used to torture American and Filipino prisoners by the Japanese soldiers. Jose Rizal, who is considered a national hero in the Philippines, was held here and executed by a firing squad in 1896 when he was only 35 years old for being defiance and rebelling against the Spanish government—the Rizal Shrine was planted at Fort Santiago to honor his memory. The public cannot enter the dungeons but can see the entrance and steps leading to the actual dungeons where the prisoners were held. People usually head over to Rizal Park (where Rizal Monument stands) to understand better about Jose Rizal’s execution. Fort Santiago is a historical area in Manila and the whole of the Philippines. 

Address: Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines

Opening Hours: 8 AM - 7 PM

Entrance: Tickets can be purchased at the gate to the Plaza Morones. 

Tours: For Fort Santiago and Intramuros Tour