Museo Sugbo, Historical museum in Cebu City, Philippines
Museo Sugbo occupies a former prison building constructed from coral stone blocks, situated four blocks from Plaza Independencia. The structure houses more than ten exhibition spaces featuring objects and documents from pre-colonial times through the twentieth century.
The building was designed by Domingo de Escondrillas in 1869 and served as Carcel de Cebu, the regional prison starting in 1871. The provincial government later took over the structure and converted it into a museum that opened to visitors in 2008.
The name Sugbo refers to the ancient kingdom that shaped Cebu long before modern times. Visitors can observe how the community developed across different periods through the objects and spaces displayed here.
The museum sits close to the city center and is reachable on foot, especially when using Plaza Independencia as a reference point. The exhibition spaces are housed in an older building, so visitors should expect limited accessibility and narrow passages between display areas.
Inside the walls sits a Spanish-era well known as the Well of Good Fortune and Happiness, a rare remnant from colonial times. This structure draws attention to how everyday features can reveal stories about the period when Spain held power in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
