First Fortification: Fort of Maynila

fort of maynila
First Fortification: Fort of Maynila | Renacimiento Manila (@rebirth.manila)

The Fort of Maynila was the original fortress of the Tagalog settlement of Maynila prior to the arrival and conquest of Spain in 1571.

According to Spanish accounts, the fort stood in the area where the river met the sea. It was a mound of earth surrounded by wooden palisades. The fortress was armed with bronze cannons that were looked out of the fort through gun ports.

The Fort of Maynila was attacked and destroyed by Spanish forces in 1570 when Martin de Goiti attacked and burned down the settlement.

In 1571, after the conquest of Maynila, the Spaniards built a new fort on the site of the native fort. This will become Fort Santiago.

Maynila would go on to become a walled city.

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