Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro is another good place to visit if you want to get a glimpse of what Cebu was like in the past. Unlike the Magellan’s Cross and the Sto. Niño Church, this site is least popular among the historical places in Cebu. People are hesitant to go there because it is located near the pier area, and people are afraid to go near this area because of incidents of theft, snatching, swindling, and other unscrupulous activities.
But tourist buses and taxis can take you directly to this site without the risk that you will encounter such dangers. Also, government officials and police have put an outpost near the place to safeguard the tourists who wish to visit this historical site.
Fort San Pedro
Looking back, the fort was built by conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565 using only mud and logs. One reason he built this fort was to fend off threats from the natives and Muslims pirates. The fort was not completed until the year 1738. According to historians, this is the oldest and smallest fort in the Philippines. The fort is shaped like a triangle when you view it from above. It is named after the ship of the conquistador who built it.
The physical attributes of the fort are as follows:
- Area: 2,025 square meters
- Walls: 20-feet high and 3-feet thick
- Towers: Rise 30 feet from the ground
Fort San Pedro has had many uses through the years like:
- During the American period, the fort served as a barracks for the soldiers.
- The Americans used the fort as a place where education would be imparted to Cebuano children.
- The Japanese soldiers turned it into a prison camp and fortification.
- The Cebu Garden Club turned part of the fort into a beautiful garden and the front yard as a zoo.
Today, the fort is used as a park and museum with memorabilia from the Spanish period. Going there is so easy; just ride a taxi or jeepney whose route passes along Fort San Pedro.
Some related sites for added information:
- http://www.philtourism.gov.ph/pl_places_forts_lightfaced – another great website in helping you find the Fort.
- http://watchpoints/detail_gen.html?wpt=fortsp – a good website that offers tips and guides about Cebu.
- http://totallycebu.com/fort-san-pedro – a travel blog featuring different places in Cebu.
Pictures of Fort San Pedro.: