Fort Pilar

Fort Pilar is a military fortress of coral stone in Zamboanga City, Philippines, with a rectangular layout and central courtyard. The thick walls enclose a chapel, several outbuildings, and a parapet that offers views over the strait.

Spanish forces built the fortress in 1635 under Melchor de Vera to protect settlers from pirates and foreign invaders. During a siege in 1734, the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared to a soldier, giving the site religious importance ever since.

The name honors the Virgin Mary of the Pillar, whose shrine in the eastern wall draws believers from across the region. Pilgrims and visitors come to light candles and pray in the small chapel, which remains in regular use today.

Entry is through a main gate on the northern side, leading to an open courtyard from which visitors reach the chapel, museum, and ramparts. The exhibition displays weapons, uniforms, and maps from the colonial period, while the entire grounds remain accessible for walking.

The coral blocks came from the nearby sea and were shaped by hand before being fitted into the walls. Some stones still show the original grooves and hollows that reveal the natural growth of the coral.