Mount Samat, Memorial summit with National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, Philippines.
Mount Samat is a summit in Bataan crowned with a 92-meter steel cross featuring viewing galleries on its horizontal arms. The location sits at about 560 meters elevation and offers views across the Bataan Peninsula, Corregidor Island, and Manila Bay.
The mountain witnessed the largest surrender of American forces in 1942, which led to the Bataan march involving 78,000 soldiers. This event shaped the history of the Philippines and the Pacific War significantly.
The shrine houses a museum displaying military artifacts, paintings of Philippine heroes, and sculptures showing wartime events. These exhibits tell the stories of soldiers and civilians who lived through this period.
You can reach the cross by elevator or stairs, giving you choices depending on your fitness and time available. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when light conditions are favorable and the weather is most stable.
The steel cross carries bronze insignias of USAFFE division units and ranks among the world's tallest memorial cross structures. From the viewing galleries, you can see these bronze plaques up close when reaching the horizontal arms.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
