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Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago, Manila: Address, Phone Number, Fort Santiago Reviews: 4/5

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Fort Santiago

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Fort Santiago
4
2,080
#7 of 152 things to do in Manila
Historic Sites • Parks
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About
This museum and public park was built as a stone fortress at the turn of the 17th century and marked the beginning of the walled city's riverside barricades.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
943 within 3 miles
Eng Bee Tin
236
0.5 mi$ • Chinese • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Max's Restaurant
39
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Filipino • Asian
Batala Bar
1
0.2 miBrew Pub • Filipino • Bar • Asian
Teriyaki Boy ERMITA
21
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Chowking
5
0.3 miChinese • Filipino • Fast Food • Asian
Happy Wings & Waffles
6
0.3 miAmerican • Cafe • International • Deli
Bacolod Chicken House
1
0.3 miAsian
Hungry Juan ERMITA
2
0.2 miFilipino • Asian
Starbucks
35
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Chic Boy INTRAMUROS
5
0.3 mi$ • Fast Food
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Attractions
281 within 6 miles
Intramuros
3,551
0.3 miNeighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Museo Filipino Intramuros
87
0.4 miSpeciality Museums • History Museums
San Nicolas Fire Station
1
0.2 miHistoric Sites
Manila Cathedral
1,123
0.3 miReligious Sites
Almacenes Curtain Wall
6
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings
Antonio Luna Birthplace Historical Marker
1
0.2 miHistoric Sites
San Agustin Museum
405
0.5 miHistory Museums
San Agustin Church
1,566
0.6 miReligious Sites
Palacio del Gobernador
57
0.3 miGovernment Buildings
Casa Manila
427
0.5 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,080 reviews
Excellent
677
Very good
949
Average
381
Poor
60
Terrible
13
Makoto
Saitama, Japan53 contributions
Reminisce Philippine’s glorious and painful past
Apr 2019
Visiting Fort Santiago is going through the different phases of Philippine history. The Spanish architecture of the buildings reminds us of Spain’s colonial rule, which heavily influenced the Philippine culture and psyche, making the country a unique country in Asia for having a lot of things in common with the Latin world and Europe.

The prison cell and museum for Jose Rizal provided an educational tour about his life. His trial room, and the depiction of his footsteps from his prison cell going to where he would be executed enriched my understanding about his life.

The museum about Intramuros, Manila’s walled city had the miniature models of the grand, gorgeous buildings which Manila had, before the bombings during World War II destroyed them all and they were never rebuilt. Much of Manila was destroyed during the war, but most of the colonial buildings were never rebuilt. The museum gave us a glimpse of Manila’s glorious past which was destroyed during the war.

The place is great for students for their school trips, and also for tourists. There were lots of greenery, especially mango trees. The buildings and the gate are great for photos. The restrooms needed improvement though, but the entrance fee was cheap at 75 pesos. Overall, I love the place.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
badmintontim
Hastings, UK4,534 contributions
Historical Importance
Jan 2020 • Friends
This is well worth a visit here to see the historical fort and the museum inside - the entrance fee is very small so no problem there.
Beautiful place with nice gardens and statues.
Enjoy the museum as well.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Luz C
Houston, TX86 contributions
Fort Santiago at Night
Feb 2020 • Friends
Markers document the historical landmarks; it is well lit and safe, with free entertainment at different spots.
Fort Santiago, the main fortress of Intramuros established by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi on the site of the former wooden fort of Rajah Soliman in 1572, was burned during the siege of the Chinese Pirate Lin Fen (Limahong) in 1574. It was reconstructed with local tuff (adobe) from 1590 - 1593. It was the citadel of the armies of four foreign powers: Spain 🇪🇸 from 1571 to 1898; Great Britain 🇬🇧 from 1762 through 1764 during the Seven Year War; United States 🇺🇸 from 1898 to 1946; and the Empire of Japan 🇯🇵 from 1942 through 1945 during the Second World War. It was declared a National Shrine and a National Monument in 1951 and as a National Cultural Treasure in 2014.
The marker, Last Walk to Martyrdom Trail, a centennial freedom trail characterized by the shoe prints of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, memorializes the path he took to Bagumbayan from his cell in Fort Santiago in the early hours of December 30, 1896. It symbolizes the birth of the Filipino nation. The marker was unveiled on December 27, 1996 during the incumbency of His Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos.
Another point of interest for me was the Postigo de la Nuestra Señora de Soledad, a postern used as access from Fort Santiago to the Pasig River, from whence Lieutenant General Simon de Anda, leader of the Spanish Resistance against the British Occupation of Manila from 1762 through 1768 during the Seven Year War after a siege of Intramuros by the British Army.
A white stone cross marks the final resting place of approximately 600 Filipinos and Americans who were victims of atrocities including starvation and possibly suffocation by the Japanese Imperial Forces, during the last days of February 1945, who were found inside a nearby dungeon which had inner doors of massive iron bars and outer doors of iron plates on wood.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anne06134369188
New York City, NY4 contributions
Scarry history
Sep 2021
Fort Santiago, as many already know, is a popular tourist attraction in the Philippines. But what it is now—a beautiful and remarkable tourist spot—owes it to the horrifying stories that took place centuries ago. And these stories are not like any other as these will definitely give you goosebumps. Hint: it’s like you’re starring in a horror or thriller film.
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KGB777
Singapore, Singapore41,727 contributions
Interesting colonial fort
Feb 2020
I still remember visiting Fort Santiago on one of my previous visits to Manila around 14 years ago, and it remains just as impressive today. Very clean and well maintained, although clearly many of the buildings are in ruins. A fascinating way to experience the colonial era by visiting here.
Written June 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nico Samneil Sy Salado
Cebu Island, Philippines576 contributions
Fort santiago
Feb 2020 • Couples
Place is well maintained. I could see that the 75 peso entrance is worth it. Their guards wesr the spanish time uniform of guardia sibil. Lights at night are awesome! A good place to roam when you are for history. The dungeon as what is hyped nowadays is not that amazing and you get to spend a few minutes due to the number of people visiting. Ugh.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Haresh M
Mumbai, India11 contributions
worth to visit once
Oct 2021 • Solo
Good stone construction, enjoyed going around in fort. Peaceful loving place to make love. Some local guide is necessary to understand its past or do google search before go there. Enjoyable place.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hana
Nantes, France48 contributions
It's a fort
Feb 2020
Well basically it's a fort that seems to have been renovated by just pouring concrete and not trying at all to make it look 'old' as it is. Its like you have a beautiful mural on your window and it breaks and then you just put a regular window. Like, just make it like it used to look like before! It's definitely one of the (only) places to see in Manila for tourists so its a must see. Beware of children beggars! I was clutching my purse like there is no tomorrow.. I haven't really felt unsafe but just really annoyed by the beggars. I'll probably never go there again and I'll just read about the history on the internet because it is quite interesting actually.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mel7155
Singapore, Singapore805 contributions
Typical fort you see in any country . Good for 30-45 minute visit .
Mar 2022 • Couples
Pretty decent fort for 75 pesos entrance fee . Good for a 30-45 minutes if you are a history buff . Not a very interactive fort but good to wonder around the place to see a historic fort - similar to any first and important fort in Singapore , Melaka, Italy, France etc…

Useful to go to the tourist info and collect the useful info sheet on Intramuros sites within the fort . Actually no need for tour guides as the displays are self explanatory.

Should be done with the combination of visiting Cathedral, Casa Manila, Saint Augustine Church etc… All of these sites can be completed within 2 hours . No need for guided tour with the info sheet given .
Written March 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Aaqarsh Aiyyar
Chennai (Madras), India2,454 contributions
Historic and inspiring
Feb 2020 • Solo
I loved the visit to this fort that is soaked in rich history. I enjoyed the inspirational Rizal shine, dungeons and the media naranja with the view of pasig river. The entrance fee was 75 pesos. The information centre was helpful. You may not find any vegetarian food inside the fort. This is a must-visit in Manila.
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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