April 1, 2014

Santa Isabel Fort

Fuerza de Santa Isabel, which overlooks Taytay Bay in Palawan, the Philippines. It was  completed in the early 18th century, and was mean to protect inhabitants from pirates who were against the Spanish occupation.


Built out of solid rock, the fort was remarkably well preserved.


You go in through the entrance, and climb the stairs to a small room in the second level, where a guide explains the history of the fort and of Taytay.


Climbing up to the third level.

A church stands on the top level.



The stone basin in the center of the previous photo contained a handful of dried-out plumeria (or frangipani).


There are four bastions on the corners of the fort, and they are named after San Toribio, Santa Isabel, San Juan and San Manuel. Some are in better shape than others, signalling the areas that had the most attacks.

The view from one of the bastions.

The view directly opposite the previous photo. Apparently, when the fort was built, they also created an underground passage that linked the two churches together.



One of the several cannons on display.

The fort from the side.

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