Sunday, July 25, 2010

Moat of Fort Santiago [Sunday Bridges]


At the tip of the delta near the mouth of the Pasig River stands Fort  Santiago.   It was built in 1571 for Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.  It is part of the structures of the walled city of Intramuros, and one of the oldest Spanish stone fortresses in the Philippines. As the premier defense fortress of the Spanish government in the Philippines, the main gate of Fort Santiago is fortified by a moat with a stone  bridge. 

Fort Santiago was the site of fierce conflicts between the Chinese and the Spanish in the 15th century.  It was captured by the Japanese during World War II and sustained heavy damage from American and Filipino mortar shells during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

This was the main fort for the spice trade to the Americas and Europe  for 333 years, and where the famous Manila Galleon trade to Acapulco, Mexico began. 



Posted for Sunday Bridges

20 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

How cool that the moat is still there with the bridge crossing it.

escape said...

also one of the most recommended spot to visit in manila. sad that what remains as philippine landmarks are mostly made during the spanish colonial period.

Indrani said...

Great pic. Thanks for the history.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

why is it pink in colour?

Kaori said...

Great photos! I really like the stone arches :D

Francisca said...

This is one of the places we bring visitors to the city. Good pics!

cieldequimper said...

Historically very interesting and what a beautiful work!

Ebie said...

Thanks for the tour, I have been there once and I do not have vivid memories. It looks so well kept and preserved.

Thanks for the well wishes for Twylah. My body is just so sore when she struggles with two people giving the antibiotic thru the dropper. I hope to be back blogging next week.

Carver said...

That's a beautiful spot and such an interesting post.

Eng said...

oh! it was ages ago when i last saw fort santiago. thanks for sharing a part of its history.

wonderful post!

eng of salitype society

SandyCarlson said...

Very, very beautiful. Thanks.

Louis la Vache said...

What a history! «Louis» thanks you for this excellent contribution to Sunday Bridges.

Woody said...

1571??!! Awesome shots, the arches are cool.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Cute naman ng meme na ito, sige join ako next time pag may time hehehe. Great shots sis.

Inday said...

I feel like am stepping back in time - back in the classroom to refresh my History subject. Thanks for this educational informative piece Miranda. Love the pictures and truly am grateful to try to reminisce the places that I'd been to and can't picture them mentally anymore. With your kind permission, please allow me to copy these pictures for the sake of my stay in Manila that I'd never get the chance to photograph - just for sentimental reason especially that I have never been home since 23 years ago. (I feel homesick now).

Unknown said...

Nice pics - lots of history.

Elisa N Viajes said...

It´s a lovely bridge!
Best regards from Argentina
Elisa

Unknown said...

i need to see that place one more time, nice photo.

Luckaa said...

Beautiful place.

George said...

It's interesting to see a moat that has water in it. Most of the moats around the old forts I have visited are now dry.