Cape Santiago Lighthouse, Historic lighthouse in Calatagan, Philippines
Cape Santiago Lighthouse rises 51 feet (15.5 meters) above the cliffs and was built from white and red bricks with a design inspired by medieval European fortifications. The structure stands at a strategic point to guide vessels through Verde Island Passage and Manila Bay.
Spanish engineers Magin Pers and Guillermo Brockman completed this maritime structure in 1890 to guide vessels through major shipping routes. The construction occurred during a period of intensive European maritime expansion in the region.
The structure takes its name from Don Santiago Zobel, a local landowner who donated the site during the Spanish colonial era. This naming reflects how the lighthouse became intertwined with the region's local identity and maritime heritage.
The site is best reached by public transportation, with buses departing from Manila to Calatagan and requiring further travel to reach the location. Visitors should arrive in the early morning hours to enjoy the clearest views and the quietest time at the lighthouse.
The Japanese government contributed to preservation efforts by donating a new light bulb in 1980, later replaced with solar-powered technology. This international collaboration in maintaining the structure shows how important it remains to regional maritime history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
