Fort Santiago Gate, Intamuros
The Fortress Gate

Rizal Shrine (Museo Ni Rizal) at Fort Santiago, Intramuros

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I’d been to Intramuros for several occasions already, since my college years, however, I always missed Fort Santiago. It was probably because it was a paid section of the fortress, or I had little interest with Philippine history during those times. It was only during my tax-paying years when I got this strong sense of nationalism. Unfortunately, by the moment my interest about our past surged, my time resources plunged.

Inside Plaza Moriones

Until recently, I was able to make time and finally experienced the one of the most significant remnants of our past. The admission fee is just ₱75 for adults and ₱50 for students.

Immediately after the fort entrance is a well-landscaped Plaza Moriones.

Plaza Moriones, Fort Santiago
Plaza Moriones, Fort Santiago

The area houses souvenir shops, eateries, and picnic tables for family bonding as well as historical nooks and large ammunition openly displayed (I hoped they no longer work).

lotus bloom in fort santiago
Lotus in bloom

The other end of Plaza Moriones is the famous landmark of Intramuros, the Fort Santiago gate. In front of it is a small pond where pink lotuses bloom.

Fort Santiago Gate, Intamuros
The Fortress Gate

Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago, by the way, was built in 1714 but was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945. The restoration efforts in 1982 actually brought back the fortress’ former look.

The Fort Santiago memorial
The Fort Santiago memorial

Previously, I mentioned that Fort Santiago is one of the most significant piece of Philippine history. Because it is where our National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal, was tried, detained, and wrote his final literary works including the farewell letter, Mi último adiós. Charges against him were rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy leading to his death by firing squad on December 30, 1986.

fort santiago grounds (Plaza de Armas)
The Plaza de Armas
Rizal Shrine within Plaza de Armas of the Fort Santiago
Rizal Shrine within Plaza de Armas of the Fort Santiago

The Rizal Shrine

At present, Fort Santiago is the host to Rizal Shrine that houses the important memorabilia, life and works, collections, the clothes he wore during his execution, and his bone relic.

A painting of Rizal's Execution
A painting of Rizal’s Execution

The shrine also houses sections like the Contemplation Room (Silid ng Pagninilay), the Prison Cell (Ang Piitan Ni Jose Rizal), Chamber of Texts (Bulwagan ng Panunulat), the The Valedictory Poem (Ang Tulang Walang-Hanggan), and the Reliquary Room (Silid ng Nalalabi).

Stairway to the 2nd level of Rizal Shrine
Stairway to the 2nd level of Rizal Shrine
A bone relic of Dr Jose Rizal that was hit by a bullet
A bone relic of Dr Jose Rizal that was hit by a bullet

The tour at Fort Santiago, more particularly the Rizal Shrine was really an eye opener. We learned these stuff on the more distant past. Though the feeling was different when we re-explore and seeing the actual remains.

Fort Santiago is open from 8AM to 6PM daily. Rizal Shine, however, accommodates guests only on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8AM to 4PM.

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