Overview
Fort San Felipe is an old structure dating back to 1609, when the Spaniards built it to protect part of the growing city back then. The structure is made of granite blocks, with walls approximately 30 feet high. A wide stairway leads to the top of the port where a concrete house can be found. Naval memorabilia including antique cannons decorate the lawns. It is at present managed by the Philippine Navy. Visits can be arranged with prior coordination with the Philippine Navy Headquarters.
The fort is dedicated to San Felipe Neri in the 16th century. The area used to be a shipping capital of the Philippines during the Spanish rule. The fort was used as a fortress of the Spanish Navy, also called as the Spanish Armada. Many transactions during the Spanish period was done in the area such as trading, stevedoring, and cargo/freight services by the Spanish merchants and shippers.
Galleon Trade is one of the common business trading in the area, from Manila to Acapulco and vice versa. The name changed to reflect the city that the ship was sailing from. The trade route was inaugurated in 1565 with the discovery of the ocean passage by Andrés de Urdaneta, and continued until 1815 when the Mexican War of Independence put a permanent stop to the galleon trade route.
Fort San Felipe Today
No doubt that the site is beautiful. Tourists can sense the history because it is really detectable in the area. Today, Fort San Felipe is a major tourist attraction in the province of Cavite. Inside the fort, a small museum can be seen. It contains memorable materials during the Spanish period, especially the wartime relics like guns, weapons, cannonballs, and shells. Tourists can also feel the refreshing breeze of the ocean.
Location
Sangley Point, Naval Base, Cavite City.
Accommodation
- Mount Sea Resort
Location : General Trias 163 Marseilla Street, Bagbag II, Rosario, Cavite
- Microtel Hotels & Resorts Cavite
Location : General Trias Amadeo Rd, Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club, Cavite
- Island Cove Resort & Leisure Park
Location : Cavite City Covelandia Road, Binakayan Kawit, Cavite
How to get there
From Manila, Cavite can be reached by riding a bus. Buses are available in Manila around 5am to 10pm everyday. Ride a bus that has a trip going to Cavite. Buses usually load and unload passengers at Vito Cruz corner Harrison Street, across the Central Bank of the Philippines.
There are also buses and mini-buses in Baclaran having trips going to Tagaytay and other towns in the province. They usually take the route via Parañaque/Las Piñas.
From Metro Manila, it is better to ride a taxi from Harrison Plaza or Baclaran going to your destination. The travel time will take 30-45 minutes depending on the speed and if there is no traffic.
Tourists can ride a jeep or tricycle when exploring around Cavite. Transportations are available all throughout Cavite, anytime and anywhere.