Fort San Pedro
Fort San Pedro
One of the least well known historical sites of Cebu would be Fort San Pedro located in the Pier Area. Though it doesn’t get as much promotion as the Magellan’s church or Sto. Nino church, it is still a place you can visit to learn more about the history of Cebu.
The history
In 1565, Miguel Lopez De Legazpi broke the ground that started it all. This became the center of the Spanish settlement in the Philippines. The area is 2025 square meters with 20 foot walls that is 8 inches thick. Its tower stands 30 feet high. But after the Battle of Manila Bay, the local Cebuanos were given the for by Commodore George Dewey and it became the American Warwick Barracks and later became the place of formal education for the Cebuanos.
Other Utility of the Fort
During World War II, the Japanese soldiers used the area as a fort. After that, it became an army camp during the battle for liberation. After the war, the area was used for several different housing such as a miniature garden by the Cebu Garden Club. The Cebu City Zoo was also located here for a couple of years. From 1978 to 1993, the Department of Tourism and the Philppine Tourism Authority had its offices here. Now, however, it is the National Museum that displays the Fort San Pedro diggings and San Diego shipwreck.
Why you would want to visit it
The Fort served as so many things in the past which will give you a feeling of learning about Cebu’s historical past. You can also learn about the treasures discovered in Fort San Pedro along with learning about the San Diego shipwreck.
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