Culion Island

Why visit Palawan? Aside from being close to the heart of nature, where the people have sought to love and protect their environment, the province is a living museum of a spirited past as can be seen in its landmarks and historical attractions. Here are some of Palawan’s most prominent historical attractions.

• Puerto de Sta. Isabel is a historic fort built in 1667 under the Augustinian Recollect Fathers. The fort was used as a military station during that period. The fortress was constructed to protect the general area from marauders and sea pirates. Taytay was an important naval installation, being the designated capital of the Calamianes Island Group in 1818. The fort’s small chapel and cannon are still intact.

• Cuyo Port was built during the early Spanish period and was finished in 1860 to protect the people from their enemies and it is considered as one of the most ancient and unique forts in the Philippines. Within its walls are the church, the convent, and the Adoration Chapel. Cuyo became the second capital of Palawan from 1873 to 1903. Three forts were constructed to protect their ancestors against the attacks of Moros which was very prevalent during 15th-18th centuries.

• Cagayancillo Port was built on the coast atop a small mountain and is made of sea rocks mixed with lime. Within this old fort is the old church, ground force, and safety place of the residents during pirate attacks.

• Port Miller and Lighthouse Tower is a historical landmark in Brooke’s Point. Point Miller is a concrete water tank built as a source of potable water for the natives and settlers of the municipality. The original Lighthouse Tower constructed by Sir James Brooke is still visible but much of the area is now occupied by a new lighthouse tower.

• Melville Lighthouse is more than 100 years old and still functional. It serves as a guide for international vessels passing through the Balabac Strait.

• Agutaya Fort/Church of St. John the Baptist was built by the Agustinian Recollects as a defense against invasions. The church was named after St. John the Baptist and completed in 1784. It was constructed with the help of the Agutaynons and the Encomendero Don Antonio de Rojas, who delienated and laid out the building’s plan. The church was fortified with cannons, arquebuses, and mortar weapons. During World War II, the church fortress became an evacuation and refuge center for the people of Agutaya.

• Plaza Cuartel was a former site of Japanese garrison, a few yards from the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral. One hundred forty three American soldiers were burned inside a tunnel during the Second World War. A memorial park in honor of the heroes of Puerto Princesa City and the American soldiers was thereafter constructed.

• Lucbuan Church is an old church constructed by the municipal officials of the short lived Republic of Lucbuan in 1898-1904.

• Culion Fort managed by Jesuits Order was a fort constructed in 1740 by Recollect Agustinians.

• Culion Cathedral is a century-old Spanish church built by the Agustinians.

• Vietnamese Village – The village is a symbol of eternal friendship between Filipinos and Vietnamese. There were no longer Vietnamese people in the Vietnamese Village or if there were, there were only a handful of them.

Visit to Palawan!

From Manila – Puerto Princessa – Philippine Airlines, PAL Express (formerly Air Philippines), Cebu Pacific, and Zest Air have travel routes from Manila to Puerto Princessa (capital of Palawan).

Accommodations in Palawan:

•  Sheridan Beach Resort And Spa - Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa, Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines 5300
•  El Nido Resorts Lagen Island - Lagen Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
•  El Nido Resorts Apulit Island – Taytay - Apulit Island, Taytay, Palawan, Philippines
•  Sunlight Guest Hotel - Malvar Street, Barangay Tagumpay, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
•  El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island - Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
•  Club Paradise Resort - Dimakya Island, Dimakya Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines
•  Coron Gateway Hotel and Suites - Barangay Poblacion 1, Coron Town, Palawan, Philippines
•  Hotel Fleuris Palawan - Lacao Street, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
•  Hotel Centro Palawan - San Pedro National Highway, Puerto Princesa Town Proper, Palawan, Philippines 5300
• Dos Palmas Island Resort and Spa - Arreceffi Island Resort Honda Bay, Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines