It's my first time to travel to Cebu, the "Queen City of the South", and I have literally no idea where to start exploring the historical city. Thanks to the internet, I've found some good articles that helped me formulated my D.I.Y itinerary. (See source at the end of this article).
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| Cebu Heritage Walk Part 1: Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro, Malacanag Sa Sugbu |
The heritage sites of Cebu can be explored through a walk since they are situated near each other. Here's the first part of my Cebu heritage walk experience. Watch out for the part 2, 3 and so on.
MAP: Plaza Independencia to Fort San Pedro to Malacanag sa Subgu
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| Map |
FIRST STOP: PLAZA INDEPENCIA
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| Plaza Independencia (Independence Square) |
The Plaza Independencia is a popular hangout place for people staying and working around the area. It is a garden filled with acacia trees, plants and flowers. This is said to be historical as it has witnessed the rich history of Cebu. It is situated in M.J Cuenco and Legaspi Extension, Brgy. San Roque, Cebu City.
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| Obelisk dedicated to Miguel Lopez de Legaspi |
At the very heart of the plaza is an obelisk dedicated to Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Spanish governor-general of the Philippines.
SECOND STOP: FORT SAN PEDRO
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| Entrance of Fort San Pedro |
Fort San Pedro is considered as the oldest and smallest triangular fort in the Philippines. Originally, it was built by the Spaniards and Cebuano laborers in 1738 under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi as a military defence structure to repel Muslim raiders. The fort is triangular in shape, two sides facing the sea while the 3rd side is fronting the land.
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| Top of Fort San Pedro |
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| Fort San Pedro's Gallery |
At the entrance of the fort, you will see a gallery depicting the gradual development of Fort San Pedro - how it looked in the past.
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| Sto. Nino Altar |
Beside the Fort San Pedro's gallery is the Sto. Nino Altar.
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| Blind Man playing a contemporary song |
As you enter the grounds of Fort San Pedro, you will be welcomed by a blind man playing a contemporary song.
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| Inside Fort San Pedro |
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| Parallel Wooden Beams |
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| A turret at the corner of Fort San Pedro |
Nuestra Senora de la Cotta
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| Nuestra Senora de la Cotta's Oratory |
Nuestra Senora de la Cotta of Cebu is also known as Birhen sa Cota sa Sugbo, Our Lady of Fort and Virgin of Remedies.
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| Nuestra Senora de la Cotta |
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| Pozo de la Virgen |
According to sources, the waters from the well were also said to have miraculous powers.
Exhibit of Artifacts from Spanish Period
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| Vestidor of Hipolito Labra |
This is the Vestidor (VEST) of Hipolito Labra, a katipunero during the anti-Spanish revolution in Cebu. He was the longest serving Cabeza de Barangay of Sapangdako, Guadalupe from 1913- 1967, 54 years. During the anti- Spanish revolution in Cebu, the Katipuneros led by Leon Kilat believed that wearing vestidor would make the invincible.
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| Closer look to the Vestidor! |
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| Spanish Flag |
Taken by one of the crew members of Admiral George Dewey during the battle of Manila Bay on August 13, 1898, from one of the vessels of the spanish fleet, William Weaver, the crew member gave the Spanish Flag to his Grandniece, Joan Haines.
On August 29, 1970, John and Joan Haines, turned over the flat to Mariano M. Florido, a cebuano while he latter was in the United States of America. Mariano M. Florido donated the Spanish flag to the Cebu City Museum in 1993.
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| Tres De Abril Revolution |
The painting depicts the Tres de Abril Revolution that happened in Cebu City on April 3, 1989.
Viviende del Teniente
Before it became a museum, originally Viviende del Teniente was the living headquarters of the lieutenant of the fort.
Inside Viviende del Teniente
Official Seal of Cebu City
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| History of Cebu |
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| History of Fort San Pedro |
Exploring more of Fort San Pedro
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| Cuerpo de Guardia |
It is where the personnel that manned the fort lived. The largest building in Fort San Pedro.
THIRD STOP: MALACANANG SA SUGBO
At the back of Fort San Pedro is the Malacanang sa Sugbo (Malacanang of Cebu). It was originally built in 1910 to house the Bureau of Customs (BOC) office in the Port of Cebu City. Presently, it is the official residence of the President of the Philippines in the Visayas.
Watch out for my upcoming articles:
- Cebu Heritage Walk Part 2: Magellan's Cross, Sto. Nino Basilica, Sto. Nino Shrine, Sto. Nino Museum
- Cebu Part 3: Cebu Heritage and University of San Carlos
- Cebu Trip Part 4: Taoist Temple
- Cebu Trip Part 5: Lapu-Lapu
- Cebu Food Trip
Source
http://biagkensiak.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/cebu-city-a-solo-heritage-walk-cebu-walk-tour-series/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_San_Pedro
http://www.cebucitytour.com/cebu-san-pedro-port/
http://marianmessenger.ph/index.php/events/52-nuestra-senora-dela-cotta-of-cebu-also-known-as-birhen-sa-cota-sa-sugbo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaca%C3%B1ang_sa_Sugbo
