El Fraile Island, Military fortress in Manila Bay, Philippines
El Fraile Island is a fortified military installation in Manila Bay that was built entirely from reinforced concrete and shaped to resemble a battleship. The structure rises directly from the water and consists of multiple levels with gun emplacements, magazines, and casemates throughout.
Construction began in 1909 after the natural rocky outcrop was enlarged and transformed into a fortress. During the Second World War, the installation suffered severe damage during fighting for Manila and was never restored to active use afterward.
Local people often call the fortress "the concrete battleship" because it resembles a warship from a distance. Fishermen who pass by sometimes use it as a landmark when navigating through the bay.
Visits require official permission and are only organized occasionally for groups. The boat journey takes about an hour depending on the departure point within the bay.
The entire natural rocky island was completely removed and replaced with reinforced concrete. The resulting structure weighs an estimated 32,000 tons and rests on the seabed without traditional foundations.
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