Famous Historical/Cultural/Heritage Sites

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The Philippines has many famous historical and cultural sites and buildings that reflect the rich culture and heritage of the Filipino people. Here are some of the country’s most compelling historical sites and cultural attractions.

Bohol

• Sandugo Shrine/Blood Compact Shrine (Tagbilaran City)

The Blood Compact Shrine commemorates the blood compact between Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the Chieftain of Bohol in 1565

Cavite

• Aguinaldo Shrine (Kawit)

Cebu

• Cebu Heritage Monument (Cebu City)
• Fort San Pedro (Cebu City)

Fort San Pedro is the oldest fort in the Philippines
Photo: Marlon Barrientos

• Mactan Shrine/Lapu-Lapu Shrine (Lapu-Lapu City)
• Magellan’s Cross (Cebu City)

Magellan’s Cross was planted by Portuguese explorer and navigator Ferdinand Magellan in 1521
Photo: Daniel Carpienter

• Taoist Temple (Cebu City)
• Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House (Cebu City)

Corregidor Island

• Battery Way
• Corregidor Lighthouse
• Filipino Heroes Memorial
• Malinta Tunnel
• Pacific War Memorial Museum

Ifugao

• Rice Terraces of the Philippines Cordilleras
Nagacadan rice terraces in Kiangan, Hungduan rice terraces, Mayoyao rice terraces, two rice terraces in Banaue, rice terraces of Batad and Bangaan – UNESCO World Heritage Site

The striking Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Cordillera region have followed the contours of the mountains for 2,000 years
Photo: Marcus Danielsson/Shutterstock

Ilocos Norte

• Juan Luna Shrine (Badoc)

Ilocos Sur

• Calle Crisologo (Vigan City)
• Historic City of Vigan (Vigan – UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia

Laguna

• Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery (Nagcarlan)

Leyte

• Leyte Landing Memorial/MacArthur Park (Palo)

Maguinadanao

• Sultan Kudarat Monument (Provincial Capitol Building, Sultan Kudarat)

Manila

• EDSA Shrine (Quezon City)
• Fort Santiago (Intramuros)

Located inside the Intramuros, Fort Santiago is the oldest Spanish fortress in the Philippines
Photo: Tappasan Phurisamrit/Shutterstock

• Intramuros (Walled City)

The ancient “Walled City” of Intramuros was built by the Spaniards upon their occupation of Manila
Photo: Erwin Lim

• Luneta Park/Rizal Park
• National Museum of the Philippines
• University of Santo Tomas

Palawan

• Plaza Cuartel (Puerto Princesa City)

Tawi-Tawi

• Sheik Karim Al Makdum Mosque (Simunul – Philippines’ oldest mosque)

Zamboanga del Norte

• Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape/Rizal Park & Shrine (Dapitan City)