Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago was built by the Spanish from 1593 to guard the mouth of the Pasig River, on the site of the earlier wooden fort of Rajah Sulayman. Its thick walls, moat and bastions survived centuries of sieges but were badly damaged in the Battle of Manila in 1945, when hundreds of prisoners died in its dungeons. Today it is a peaceful park inside Intramuros. Walk the ramparts for views over the river, see the ruins of the old barracks, and visit the Rizal Shrine, where national hero José Rizal spent his last night before his execution in 1896. Brass footprints mark his final walk to Bagumbayan, now Rizal Park. Allow about an hour. Bring water and a hat: there is shade under the trees but the ramparts are exposed.