Fort Santiago Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Santiago
Moóg ng Santiago
The reconstructed main gate of Fort Santiago
General information
Type	Bastioned fort
Architectural style	Italian-Spanish school of fortification
Location	along the Pasig River
Town or city	Intramuros
Country	Philippines
Coordinates	14°35′42″N 120°58′10″E / 14.59500°N 120.96944°E / 14.59500; 120.96944
Named for	Saint James the Great
Construction started	1590
Completed	1593
Renovated	1733
Dimensions
Other dimensions	2,030 feet (620 m) perimeter
Technical details
Structural system	Masonry
Design and construction
Architect	Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas (1590) Fernándo Valdés y Tamon (1730s)
Structural engineer	Leonardo Iturriano
Designations	National Historical Landmark

Fort Santiago (Spanish: Fuerte de Santiago; Filipino: Kutà ng Santiago) is a very old defense fortress in Manila, Philippines. It was built by the Spanish in 1571 to protect the new city. You can find it inside Intramuros, which is the old walled city of Manila.

This fort is one of the most important historical places in Manila. Many people were held in its prisons during the time of the Spanish Empire and World War II. José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, was imprisoned here before he was executed in 1896.

Today, you can visit the Rizal Shrine museum inside the fort. It shows items that belonged to José Rizal. There are even bronze footsteps on the ground that show his last walk from his cell to where he was executed. The fort is also close to the Manila Cathedral.

What is Fort Santiago?
History of Fort Santiago
Fort Santiago Today
- Preservation Efforts
Gallery
See also

What is Fort Santiago?

Decorations on the main gate

Image of Saint James (Santiago)

The lesser arms of the monarch of Spain

The fort is named after Saint James (Santiago in Spanish). He is the patron saint of Spain. A legend says he helped fight battles, and a carving of him is on the fort's main gate.

Fort Santiago is located where the Pasig River meets the sea. This made it a perfect spot to defend the city. For 333 years, it was a key fort for the spice trade. Ships called Manila Galleons would leave from here to trade with places like Acapulco, Mexico.

The fort has walls that are about 2,030 feet (620 m) long all around. It's shaped almost like a triangle. The side facing the city has two half-bastions, which are strong parts of the wall that stick out. These are called the Bastion of San Fernando and the Bastion of San Miguel.

A moat, which is a deep ditch filled with water, separates the fort from the city. On the river side, there's a special raised platform called Santa Barbara. It has three areas for cannons, facing the sea, the entrance, and the river.

The fort's walls are about 22-foot (6.7 m) high and 8 feet (2.4 m) thick. The main gate is 40 feet (12 m) high and faces the city. There was also a secret back gate called Postigo de la Nuestra Señora del Soledad (Postern of Our Lady of Solitude) that led to the river and sea. Inside the fort, there were guard stations, barracks for soldiers, storage rooms, a chapel, and places to store gunpowder.

History of Fort Santiago

Before Fort Santiago was built, there was a fort made of wood and earth here. It belonged to Rajah Matanda, a local leader. Spanish soldiers destroyed this fort in 1570. The Spaniards then started building Fort Santiago in 1571, after they made Manila the capital of the Philippines.

The first Spanish fort was also made of wood and earth. But it was mostly destroyed when Chinese pirates, led by Limahong, attacked the city. After a big fight, the Spanish drove the pirates away.

The building of Fort Santiago with strong stone began in 1590 and finished in 1593. The stones used were a type of volcanic rock called tuff. The fort had strong walls and a platform for cannons called the battery of Santa Barbara. These cannons could fire through openings in the walls called embrasures.

Side view of Fort Santiago in 1880. An earthquake partly damaged it in July 1880.

In 1714, the fancy main gate of Fort Santiago was built. Some military barracks were also added. A strong earthquake in 1880 damaged the front of the fort, changing how it looked. Later, in the 1730s, more cannon platforms were added, and some parts of the fort were made even stronger.

British Occupation

In 1762, British forces attacked and captured Manila, including Fort Santiago. The fort became a base for the British navy until 1764, when they agreed to stop fighting with the Spanish.

American soldiers at Fort Santiago in 1940

American Rule

The American Flag being raised at Fort Santiago.

On August 13, 1898, the American flag was raised over Fort Santiago. This marked the beginning of American rule in the Philippines. The fort became the main office for the U.S. Army. The Americans made some changes, like draining the moats around the fort and turning the area into a golf course.

World War II Impact

During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army took over Fort Santiago. They used its prisons and dungeons to hold many prisoners. Sadly, many prisoners died there, especially near the end of the war during the Manila massacre.

The fort was badly damaged by American and Filipino bombs during the Battle of Manila in February 1945. Around 600 American prisoners of war also died from lack of air or food in the fort's dungeons.

Fort Santiago Today

Today, Fort Santiago is a historical park. It includes the fort, its strong walls, and the old prison dungeons. The park also has Plaza Moriones and other old ruins.

Inside the park, you can find the Rizal Shrine. This museum keeps items related to José Rizal. It even has a copy of his old family house.

Fort Santiago is now used for different activities. It's a great place for outdoor plays, picnics, and walks. The Intramuros Visitors Center nearby gives information about other attractions in the walled city.

Preservation Efforts

After being badly damaged in World War II, Fort Santiago was named a Shrine of Freedom in 1950. The Philippine government started restoring it in 1953. Since 1992, the Intramuros Administration has been in charge of fixing, keeping up, and managing the fort.