Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago (Intramuros)

The Spanish citadel where Rizal spent his last night

Hours

Opens 8am daily. Closing time is reported anywhere from 6pm to 9–10pm, so check before you go

Tickets

Adults ₱75, students/teachers/seniors ₱50. Buy at the gate

Address

Santa Clara Street at the northwest end of Plaza Moriones, Intramuros, Manila

Walk through the mossy stone gate and the citadel sits at the far end of a lawn, guarding the mouth of the Pasig. José Rizal was held here before his execution in 1896, so the shrine inside keeps his manuscripts and belongings, and brass footprints in the pavement trace his walk toward the execution ground. Up on the walls you get the river and Binondo's tired office blocks on one side and church towers on the other. The dungeons are low and damp enough that you duck, and after the midday sun the cool air feels like a gift.