The Cape Santiago Lighthouse is a historical landmark in Calatagan, Batangas, Philippines. Built-in 1890 during the Spanish colonial period. Making its mark as one of the country’s oldest and most well-preserved lighthouses. The lighthouse stands tall at 51 feet and offers panoramic views of the West Philippine Sea and the surrounding area. Moreover, the lighthouse was designed by Magin Pers y Pers. A Spanish engineer who also designed other lighthouses in the Philippines. The Spanish government ordered the construction of lighthouses along the country’s coastline to guide ships and prevent maritime accidents. Just like the old times, it was initially powered by kerosene and had a range of 20 nautical miles. Later, it was converted to electricity and had a range of 37 nautical miles. During World War II, the lighthouse was damaged by Japanese forces, but it was repaired and restored in 1951.
The Cape Santiago Lighthouse features a cylindrical tower constructed of bricks. A red stripe separates the white color of the tower’s paint similar to other lighthouses in the era. They also used cast iron in creating the lantern room, which measures 2.1 meters in diameter. Its operational first-order Fresnel lens is still being used today. Moreover, the Cape Santiago Lighthouse concrete base is measuring 10 meters in diameter. Elevating the lighthouse by 20 meters above sea level. A total of 65 steps comprise the lighthouse’s staircase, leading to the lantern room where people can have a 360° view of the surrounding area. Beside the tower stands the lighthouse keeper’s house, constructed of concrete and featuring a tiled roof. This structure is considered one of the most well-preserved historical landmarks in Calatagan. Nowadays, a lot of people are including this place as a side trip during their visit in the province.
A tourist destination
The Cape Santiago Lighthouse is a popular tourist destination in Calatagan. Visitors can access the lighthouse by paying a small entrance fee of Php 50 per head. The site is open to visitors daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, due to old age and rusting, visitors are not allowed to climb the lighthouse’s staircase anymore until further notice. They might need to do some renovations for safety purposes. Visitors can also explore the lighthouse’s keeper’s house, which now serves as a museum. The museum showcases the history of the lighthouse and its role in maritime navigation. Since the lighthouse is located on a hill overlooking the West Philippine Sea, it offers scenic views of the nearby islands as well. Visitors can take photos and enjoy the sea breeze. The lighthouse is also a popular spot for watching the sunset.
Aside from the pristine beaches of Calatagan, one of the popular attractions nearby is the Calatagan Golf Club. This golf club is a 10-minute drive from the lighthouse offering an 18-hole course and offers scenic views of the sea. Another popular attraction is the Calatagan Mangrove Forest Conservation Park, which is a 15-minute drive from the lighthouse. The park has a boardwalk that visitors can walk on and observe the mangrove ecosystem. The park also has a beach area where visitors can swim and relax. Furthermore, check out these suggestions to have an unforgettable experience on your next visit to Calatagan:
Calatagan Batangas – Where to go in summer 2023?
How to get there?
- Take a bus or drive to Calatagan, Batangas. The most common way to reach Calatagan is via Tagaytay, which is approximately a two-hour drive from Manila.
- From Calatagan town proper, you may rent a tricycle or jeepney to take you to the lighthouse. The ride takes around 30 minutes, and you’ll pass by scenic roads with views of the ocean and countryside.
- Alternatively, you can drive to the lighthouse yourself. From Calatagan town proper, drive along the coastal road towards the direction of Cape Santiago. You’ll see signs along the way that will lead you to the lighthouse.
