Saturday, June 24, 2023

Legazpi Builds Fort Santiago

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

JUNE 24, 1571

Fort Santiago or Fuerte de Santiago in Spanish, was built by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila which was synonymous with Intramuros or the walled city. 

That day, Manila became the capital of the islands. 

The Spaniards built the fort using palm logs and earth but was destroyed when Chinese pirates led by Limahong invaded the city and also killed Martin de Goite. 

Not long after, Juan de Salcedo led his men to fight the pirates and eventually drove them out. 

The construction of Fort Santiago's hard stone along with the fortified walls of Intramuros began in 1590 and was finished in 1593 under Gomez Perez Dasmariñas. 

Jose Rizal, before his death on December 30, 1896, was imprisoned by Spanish authorities in Fort Santiago. 

Today, the fort along with its bastions and prison dungeons is part of a historical park that also includes Plaza Moriones and some ruins.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

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