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Fort San Pedro in Plaza Independencia

Plaza Independencia (Independence Plaza) is a Spanish-era plaza in Cebu City that houses the historic triangular fortification known as Fort San Pedro and has a similar fortification structure to Intramuros. It was previously known as the Plaza de Armas and was later renamed Plaza Mayor.

The walls are 6.1 meters high and 2.4 meters thick. Fifteen cannons fortify the triangular fort.

Plaza Independencia Square.
The Legazpi Monument inside the Plaza Independencia Square.

The fort’s original plan was to keep pirates off the sea. It was built 11 days after Miguel’s arrival in Cebu using wood and mud but was later upgraded to stone and corals.

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A person reads the inscriptions at the Legazpi Monument.
A person reads the inscriptions at the Legazpi Monument.
Close up look at the towering beauty of the Legazpi Monument in Plaza Independencia.
A close-up look at the towering beauty of the Legazpi Monument in Plaza Independencia.

The Legazpi Monument was built in honor of Spanish navigator Miguel López de Legazpi, the first Governor-General of the Philippines.

A fountain lights beside The Legazpi Monument in Plaza Independencia.
A fountain lights beside The Legazpi Monument in Plaza Independencia.

Fort San Pedro

Fort San Pedro (Fuerte De San Pedro) is a triangle shaped military fort structure built during the Spanish era by Miguel López de Legazpi. It was built to repel Muslim raiders during the 17th century and is the oldest triangular bastion fort in the Philippines.

The entrance to Fort San Pedro (Fuerza De San Pedro).
The entrance to Fort San Pedro (Fuerza De San Pedro).
The entrance to the fort faces the City of Cebu. The shot was taken in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
The entrance to the fort faces the City of Cebu. The shot was taken in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
A bird's eye view of Fort San Pedro inside Plaza Independencia. The sides of the fort is unequal in length and the entrance is facing the city.
A bird’s eye view of Fort San Pedro inside Plaza Independencia. The sides of the fort are unequal in length, and the entrance faces the city.
A tower inside the fort.
A tower inside the fort.
The courtyard inside the fort.
The courtyard inside the fort.
Fort San Pedro in Cebu City at night.
Fort San Pedro in Cebu City at night.

The Bohol earthquake in 2014 severely damaged the fort, but repairs were done immediately in the aftermath.

A flyby of downtown Cebu City during Sinulog 2023.

Entrance Fee:

Adult: PHP 100
Student: PHP 20
Senior Citizen: PHP 24

Location Information:

Plaza Independencia and Fort Santiago are located within walking distance from Magellan’s Cross and Basilica Del Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu. You may also visit Carbon Market and get a good view of CCLEX, the longest bridge in the Philippines.

It is beside the Cebu pier, the gateway to various provinces in the country.

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