Fort Santiago is a defense fortress built by the Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and located in the historic district of Intramuros Manila. Here were imprisoned Jose rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, until his execution in 1896. On the ground you can see his latest tracks, cast in bronze, and trace its path from the chamber to the place of execution.

Fort Santiago, a military building from the 16th century, is a "living" witness to the courage and heroism of Filipinos. It is surrounded by walls with a height of 6. 7 m and a thickness of 2, 4 meters. Today in the Fort picnics, a walk among seen a lot of ruins and even theatrical performances under the open sky.

Once on the spot where now stands Fort Santiago, there was a wooden fortress Raja Suleiman, the Muslim lords of these places. But in 1570, when there appeared the Spaniards, the fortress fell, unable to withstand several fierce battles. In 1571, the Spaniards have erected here, on the banks of the Pasig river, Fort and fortress of Intramuros, making Manila the capital of the Philippines.

The first Fort was built of logs and earth. Most of it was destroyed during the Spanish-Chinese war 1574-75. Only in 1589 began the restoration of the Fort, this time, it was built of stone. For 333 years long Fort Santiago became a major trading center in Europe and the United States sent ships with spices.

During the Second World war, he was captured by the Japanese and suffered from landmines during the famous Battle of Manila in February 1945. Restoration of the Fort was conducted in the 1980s, under the Administration of Intramuros. Today it houses a Museum where you can see the legacy of the Spanish colonial period.