Famous Historical Sites and Landmarks in the Philippines

Ifugao Mountain Province, Cordilleras Northern Luzon

Considered as one of mankind's greatest engineering accomplishments, the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Cordillera region was built more than 2,000 years ago by the ancestors of the Ifugao tribe with their bare hands. 

Owing to its difficult terrain, the breathtaking Rice Terraces are said to be among the few monuments that weren’t influenced by colonial cultures. These terraces are reported to cover around 4,000 miles, and it’s said that if put end to end, its length would cover approximately half of the circumference of the earth.

Roxas Blvd., Malate Manila

Also known as the Luneta Park, the Rizal Park was built as a tribute to the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The iconic Manila park is currently one of the leading historical sites in the Philippines and is where Jose Rizal was executed by the Spanish military firing squad on December 30, 1896.

Intramuros, Manila 

Built as a stone fortress at the turn of the 17th century, Fort Santiago is also known as the walled city of Intramuros and is located near the mouth of the Pasig River. It served as the Spanish military barracks in the 1500s and is where Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned prior to his execution. 

Here is also where the Japanese massacred thousands during their brutal occupation in the country during the 1940s. If you like history, this is the place for you, where you can see the historical and nostalgic fort grounds and find the Rizal Shrine museum, picturesque manicured gardens, plazas, and fountains.

Malolos, Bulacan

Initially constructed in 1885 and completed in 1888, the Barasoain Church, also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, is referred to as the “Cradle of Democracy in the East.” It is one of the country’s most important religious buildings, where the first Philippine Congress Convention in 1898, the drafting of the Malolos Constitution (from the latter part of 1898 to 1899), and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in 1899 all took place.

Corregidor Island, Cavite

Located at the entrance of Manila Bay, Corregidor Island is famous for its historical significance in the country. Today, the rocky island’s structures, buildings, tunnels that lie in ruins serve to commemorate the courage and heroism of the Filipinos and Americans who fought against the overwhelming forces of the Japanese military during World War II, as well as a painful reminder of the devastating effects that a war can bring to humankind.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur

With its Spanish-style houses and cobbled streets that evoke a bygone Spanish era, Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is one of the most captivating streets in the Philippines. It’s also one of the remaining streets in the country where you can still see and ride an actual calesa. 

Visitors can enjoy picture-perfect shots of the lovely historical houses as well as take the opportunity to shop Vigan’s best products that include antique items, jewelry, Vigan woven products, bags, woodworks, basi wine, and Vigan delicacies.

Pigafetta Street, Cebu City 

Built a hundred years ago during the Spanish regime, it is the oldest and smallest fort in the Philippines. It has a museum and a park that showcases the insights of the old days. The museum-park displays the Spanish artifacts, documents, paintings, sculptures, cannons, and swords fragments as well as the Ming porcelain pieces.

Colon Street, Cebu City

Known as the country's oldest street. It was built during the Spanish era and was named after Christopher Columbus. Today, the street is part of the busy and crowded Cebu City where commercial sites, shopping malls, restaurants, fashion shops, and movie theaters are found.

Osmena Blvd., Cebu City

It is a 16th-century structure located in the center of downtown Cebu City and is built in the exact same spot where the image of the Sto. Nino was found by the Spanish conquistadors in 1565. Believed to be miraculous, the Sto. Nino’s image has survived the fire which destroyed the structure that housed it. Today, worshipers from all over visit the church to pray.

Punta Engano Rd, Lapu-Lapu City Cebu

It is a 20-meter (66 ft) bronze statue situated in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City. It was built in honor of Lapulapu who conquered and killed the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan in 1521.

Palo, Leyte

This famous and protected landmark is built in commemoration of the landing of the American and Filipino allied forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II in Palo Beach, Leyte on October 20, 1944. This preceded the start of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which eventually lead to the freedom of the Philippines from the Japanese military force occupation.

Catarman Camiguin

Marked by a monumental white cross rising up out of the water, the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin offers a beautiful scenic spot, which also serves as a landmark that defines the history of how the island came to be. During the birth of Mount Vulcan, the eruption caused the town of Bonbon, including its cemetery to sink beneath the sea. A looming cross was then built which serves to commemorate the buried townspeople from long ago. Today, the place has become a paradise for divers and one of the scenic views Camiguin has to offer.

Catarman Camiguin

The Old Church Ruins serve as remnants of what was left from the old church of the island’s Spanish era capital referred to as Cotta Bato after an earthquake caused by the violent eruption of Mt. Vulcan destroyed the town. A visit to the place brings nostalgia in the air, and more than the stunning view that the piles of ruins offer, they also foster an enchanting atmosphere and inspire strength, resilience, and hope. 

Davao City

Just a few miles from Davao City is the Japanese Tunnel located in D'Japanese Tunnel Family Resort, which dates back during the era of World War II. The tunnel was carved out of the hilly section of Matina Balusong by the Davao Prisoners of War in 1942 and was used by the Japanese military forces during the war as their hide-out and as a means of transporting their equipment as they fought against the American liberating army. 

Zamboanga City

The Royal Fort of Our Virgin Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza, otherwise known simply as Fort Pilar is a military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial forces in the 17th century. Inside is a national museum that showcases the cultural heritage and the remarkable history of the region. A visit to Fort Pilar introduces you to the past and commemorates how Zamboangeños courageously fought hard for their freedom. 

Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte

The Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape or Rizal Park and Shrine is located in the city of Dapitan and is where the Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the country’s national hero, spent his four years of exile from 1892 to 1896. Aside from the Rizal shrine, other preserved structures you can find in the park are the reconstructed bamboo and nipa houses originally built by Rizal, a dam, water reservoir, an amphitheater, as well as a museum.