Historical Places Attraction

Cebu City plays a vital role when it comes to the Philippine history. This is where the first Spanish settlement took place. It has been inculcated that Christianity started in Cebu when Ferdinand Magellan and his troop landed in Cebu on April 7, 1521. With this indeed Cebu is rich in historical places.

Magellan Marker is located in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City which is about 20 kms from the Cebu City. Because of the success in Christianizing a couple of the natives, Magellan intersected the channel to Mactan Island thinking he would be able to spread the Christianity in the area. But before he even reached the shores, he was defeated and killed by the chieftain of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu along with his men on April 27, 1521. The marker was raised in 1866 to mark the spot where the great explorer died.

Magellan’s Cross was deep-seated on April 14, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan himself. This marks the spot where the first Christianity took place. They consist of Rajah Humabon who was the native chieftain of Cebu along with his wife. About 700 natives were baptized by the Spaniards on April 14, 1521. Before Augustinian priest made an open shrine but the natives began to take chips of it believing it had miraculous power which leads to a kiosk destruction. To protect it, the original cross was encased in a wooden tindalo in a form of a hollow cross.

Lapu-Lapu Monument is located still in Punta Engano and this is where the battle for supremacy and freedom took place between Ferdinand Magellan and Lapu-Lapu. It depicts Lapu-Lapu himself holding a bolo in one hand and pestle on the other hand. It was said that this weapon were used before in the defeat of Magellan and his troop of Spanish explorer. This reminds us about Filipino bravery.

Fort San Pedro is located in the city’s pier area and served as the core of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. It’s 2, 025sq. meters inside area and has 20 feet high and 8 feet thick walls. The towers are 30 feet high from the ground level. After the battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey turned it over to the Cebuanos and then later became an American Warwick Barracks during the American Regime which was then changed into classrooms where the locals received formal education.

Fort San Pedro National Museum is located in Legaspi Ext., Cebu City which is a product of years of research in the anthropological and biological of Cebu in particular and the country itself in general. It contains the samples of flora and fauna as well as portray the cultural development and influences in the society.

Capitol Building which is located in Osmena Blvd, Cebu City, is the home of the provincial governor. It is a replica of the United States’ White House in Washington D.C. This is regarded as one of the many beautiful capitols in the country and which was built in 1937 under Governor Sotero Cabahug’s administration.

Casa Gorordo Museum situated in 35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City is the home of the first Filipino Bishop of Cebu. A quick tour on this place would give you an idea of The Filipino lifestyle within 1860 to 1920. On the said museum you could find courtyard, noted paintings, antique household items and furniture.