An In-Depth Guide to Fort Santiago in Manila, Manila, Philippines

Set within the Intramuros district but with its own entry fee, the Fort Santiago may be one of Manila’s most recognisable landmarks.

Built by the Spaniards in the year of 1571, Fort Santiago may very well be the oldest fortification in the city of Manila. Although it was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945, it had since been restored in 1950 following it being declared as a Shrine of Freedom.

Today, Fort Santiago is a sizable complex hosting various historical treasures and legacies which are worth dedicating an extended time to fully explore and immerse in.

This guide will walk you through the key sites which can be visited while you are exploring Fort Santiago. Without further ado…

Located just right in front of the entrance to the Fort Santiago, Plaza Moriones was originally known under the name of “Plaza de la Fuerza” and was mostly quite empty. However, it was eventually redeveloped in the year of 2017 with manicured lush gardens.

Originally constructed in the year of 1591, Almaneces Reales was once a storage facility for cargo items which were discharged from the Pasig River. Throughout history, Almacenes Reales had also been repurposed into a waterfront and even as soldiers’ quarters! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).