Punta Cruz Watchtower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Punta Cruz Watchtower |
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Restored Punta Cruz Watchtower following the 2013 Bohol earthquake
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| Alternative names |
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| General information | |
| Status | National Cultural Treasure |
| Type | Watchtower |
| Town or city | Maribojoc, Bohol |
| Country | Philippines |
| Coordinates | 9°44′06″N 123°47′24″E / 9.73500°N 123.79000°E |
| Completed | 1796 |
| Owner | Municipality of Maribojoc |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Stones and wood |
The Punta Cruz Watchtower is a historic tower located in Maribojoc, Bohol, in the Philippines. It is also known as the Fort of Saint Vincent Ferrer (Spanish: Fuerte de San Vicente Ferrer). This special tower was built during the time when Spain ruled the Philippines. It stands at the western tip of Maribojoc, about three kilometers from the main Maribojoc Church.
What makes the Punta Cruz Watchtower unique is its shape. It is known as the "only perfect isosceles triangle" tower-fort structure in the Philippines. An isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length. This unusual design helped protect the area from raiders.
The watchtower was damaged during the powerful 2013 Bohol earthquake. Experts from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts checked it and found it had moderate to serious damage. Luckily, it has since been repaired and restored.
Contents
What is the Punta Cruz Watchtower?
The Punta Cruz Watchtower was built to defend the area from pirates who attacked from the south. These pirates were often called "Moro pirates" during the Spanish colonial period. The tower was finished in 1796. An Augustinian Recollect priest named Father Manuel Sanchez de Nuestra Sra. del Tremendal oversaw its construction.
How was the Watchtower Built?
The watchtower is made from cut coral stones. Its base is shaped like a perfect isosceles triangle. Above this triangle base, there is a short, six-sided (hexagonal) tower. Inside, the tower has several levels or floors. The main room has a special spot for a religious statue, particularly of Saint Vincent Ferrer. You can still see the original wooden beams that support the stone walls inside the tower.
At the entrance of the tower, you can see the Spanish coat-of-arms and an old inscription. This writing is highlighted with a reddish color.
Why is it Called Punta Cruz?
The tower is named after Saint Vincent Ferrer, who is a special patron saint of Maribojoc. This dedication is shown by the inscriptions at the tower's entrance and the statue of the saint inside.
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Castillo de S. Vicente Ferrer en esta Punta de la Cruz [...?] y Árbol de la Santa Cruz desde la conquista de los Españoles Hasta Hoy y fe Venera en su Pueblo de Maribohoc con Devoción del Santo Via Crucis Año 1796 Castillo de San Vicente Ferrer in this Punta de la Cruz, whose title and tree of the Holy Cross have been venerated since the time of the Spanish Conquest until today in his town of Maribohoc, with devotions to the Stations of the Holy Cross, year 1796. |
Next to the watchtower, there is a wooden cross on a rock cliff that faces the sea. The people of Maribojoc believe that this Holy Cross protected them from the Moro pirates.
Important Recognitions
The Punta Cruz Watchtower has received several important recognitions for its historical and cultural value.
National Historical Landmark
In February 2009, the watchtower was officially declared a National Historical Landmark. A special marker was put up in May 2009 by the local government of Maribojoc and the National Historical Institute (which is now called the National Historical Commission of the Philippines).
National Cultural Treasure
The National Museum of the Philippines also declared the Punta Cruz Watchtower a National Cultural Treasure. This happened on August 29, 2011. It was part of a group of "Bohol Watchtowers" that also included towers in Dauis, Panglao, Pamilacan, Loay, and Balilihan. The official marker for this declaration was unveiled in July 2012.
UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
Since 2006, the Punta Cruz Watchtower has been considered for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This means it might one day become a World Heritage Site, which are places of outstanding universal value. It is being considered along with other Spanish colonial forts in the Philippines, like Fuerza de Capul in Northern Samar and Fuerza de San Andres in Romblon.
The 2013 Bohol Earthquake and Restoration
On October 15, 2013, a very strong earthquake hit Bohol. It was a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, and its center was near Sagbayan, Bohol. The Punta Cruz Watchtower suffered moderate to serious damage from this earthquake.
After the earthquake, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts checked the damage. Thankfully, the watchtower has been carefully restored and repaired since 2016, bringing it back to its original glory.
See also
In Spanish: Fuerte de San Vicente Ferrer para niños
- Maribojoc Church
