The town of Puerto Galera, along with its island of Mindoro, has had a long and colorful history.  Even before the Spanish came, the area has long been considered as one of the best and most majestic natural harbors in the world and has long been the center of trade in the region.  One particular attraction reflects this fascinating past: the Cross at Muelle.

The Cross at Muelle is a marble cross established to commemorate the sinking of the battleship Canonero Mariveles at the Manila Channel on November 18, 1879. Today it is one of the historical landmarks in Puerto Galera.

The battleship Canonero Mariveles was brought in to protect Puerto Galera from Moro pirates who were constantly raiding the area.  However, this ship was sunk as it was unable to escape a particularly strong storm in the year 1879. 

A wooden cross was built at Muelle Pier as a memory of the valiant crew and of the ship itself, with it an inscription that paid homage to the ship and crew. Much later in 1938, the cross was renovated by Luis Gomez y Sotto and the structure replaced by sturdier marble.

Venture to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Oriental Mindoro can be reached through land and sea transport. From Manila, take the Batangas-Laguna-Tayabas (BLTB), Tritran, and other Batangas-bound buses to the Batangas City pier. From there, take the super ferry boats bound for Calapan, which has several trips per day, or those bound for Puerto Galera. A roll-on-roll-off (RO-RO) ferry is convenient for those wishing to take their private vehicles.

In Mindoro Oriental, a number of jeepneys ply the capital from the neighboring towns and to the interior.