Fort Santa Isabel Explained

Fort Santa Isabel
Native Name:
  • Filipino; Pilipino: Kutang Santa Isabel (Filipino)
  • Spanish; Castilian: Fuerza de Santa Isabel (Spanish)
Alternate Names:Taytay Fort
Map Type:Palawan
Location Town:Taytay, Palawan
Location Country:Philippines
Coordinates:10.8283°N 119.5178°W
Renovation Date:2018–2019
Namesake:Isabella II of Spain
Material:Coral limestone
Ren Architect:Joel Rico

Fort Santa Isabel (Filipino; Pilipino: Kutang Santa Isabel;[1] Spanish; Castilian: Fuerza de Santa Isabel), also known as Taytay Fort, is a coastal fortification in the town of Taytay of Palawan, Philippines.

History

Background

Fort Santa Isabel was originally built in 1667 as a wooden palisade under the Augustinian Recollect priests. It was named in honor of Isabella II of Spain.[2]

Through the efforts of Governor General Fernando Manuel de Bustillo,[1] the structure was replaced in 1738 by a coral limestone fort and was primarily used by the Spanish as a defensive structure against Muslim raiders.[2]

2018–2019 restoration

The municipal government of Taytay, with help from the National Historical Commission, commenced renovation works on the fort in 2018 as part of its Estrella del Norte Heritage Development Project. The project, led by heritage architect Joel Rico, was set to be finished by May 1, 2019.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Kutang Santa Isabel . 1993 . Marker. . Fort Santa Isabel in Taytay, Palawan. Fort Santa Isabel. Filipino.
  2. News: Fabro. Keith Anthony. 350-year-old Spanish fort in Palawan to undergo restoration. 10 May 2018. Rappler. 10 February 2018.