Churches & Heritage Sites

NHCP-declared heritage sites, Spanish-era churches, forts, museums, plazas, and monuments.

164 articles

Articles

10 min read

Baluarte de San Diego: Architecture, Excavation and Heritage in Intramuros

History, archaeological excavation and structural details of the Baluarte de San Diego bastion in Manila's Intramuros.

14 min read

Fort Pilar: History, Marian Shrine and Heritage Museum in Zamboanga City

Fort Pilar is a 17th-century Spanish fortress in Zamboanga City, now a National Cultural Treasure, museum, and Marian shrine.

9 min read

Fort Mills: Corregidor's Harbor Defenses and WWII History

Fort Mills on Corregidor was the largest US seacoast fort in the Philippines, central to the 1942 siege and 1945 recapture.

10 min read

Fort Cuyo: Spanish-era citadel and heritage landmark in Palawan

Fort Cuyo, built in 1680 in Palawan, is a historic citadel housing the oldest church in the province and the birthplace of diplomat Trinidad...

19 min read

San Agustin Church: Heritage, Architecture and History in Intramuros

San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Manila's Intramuros.

12 min read

Fort Drum: The Concrete Battleship of Manila Bay

History and architecture of Fort Drum, the unique US-built sea fort in Manila Bay known as the 'concrete battleship'.

14 min read

KJC King Dome: Construction, Design and Controversy in Davao City

The KJC King Dome in Davao City is a 75,000-capacity indoor arena under construction, notable for its scale and recent legal events.

11 min read

Twin Forts of Romblon: Spanish Colonial Defenses and Heritage Conservation

History and conservation of the Twin Forts of Romblon, Spanish-era fortifications declared National Cultural Treasures in 2013.

12 min read

Fort Magsaysay: Military Reservation, Training Center and Heritage Site

Fort Magsaysay is the largest military reservation in the Philippines, spanning Nueva Ecija and Aurora.

15 min read

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras: Heritage, Engineering and Preservation

The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ifugao, Luzon, inscribed in 1995.

13 min read

Fort Santiago: History, Architecture and Heritage in Intramuros

Historic 16th-century citadel in Manila, site of José Rizal's imprisonment and key Spanish colonial defense.

12 min read

Cuartel de Santa Lucia: Ruins, History and Heritage in Intramuros

Ruined Spanish-era barracks in Intramuros, Manila, built in 1781 for the Artillería de Montaña.

10 min read

Fort Culion: Spanish-era citadel and heritage landmark in Palawan

Fort Culion, a 1740 Spanish-era citadel in Palawan, was declared a historical landmark in 1939 and later repurposed as a lighthouse.

12 min read

Fuerte de la Concepción y del Triunfo: History, Architecture and Heritage in Ozamiz

Historic Spanish fortress in Ozamiz City, Mindanao, built in 1756 to defend against pirates and later used as a WWII guerrilla headquarters.

10 min read

Fort San Pedro (Iloilo): History, Destruction and Restoration

History of Fort San Pedro in Iloilo City, from its 1602 founding to WWII destruction and 2024 restoration plans.

11 min read

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park: Geology, Biodiversity and Heritage Status

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palawan, featuring the second-longest underground river and rich biodiversity.

14 min read

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park: Biodiversity, Heritage Status and Management

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea, Palawan, known for its pristine coral atolls and marine biodiv...

10 min read

Cuartel de Santo Domingo: Heritage, History and Detention Controversy

Cuartel de Santo Domingo is a Spanish-era fort in Laguna, now a high-profile detention center for the Philippine National Police.

13 min read

Fort Wint: Harbor Defenses of Subic Bay and Grande Island History

History of Fort Wint, a US Army coastal defense fort on Grande Island, Subic Bay, and its role in WWII and post-war operations.

12 min read

Fort Hughes: History and Military Significance

Fort Hughes on Caballo Island was a key US Army harbor defense fort in the Philippines, notable for its WWII recapture battle.