Upon the arrival of Fray Julian Bermejo, O.S.A – Otherwise known as the “Warrior Priest” or “El Padre Capitan” of Boljoon, he initiated the construction of static defenses in the town to guard against the scourge of Moro pirate raids that had previously destroyed the town in 1782. He, alongside the people, built a vast fortress surrounding the present-day church complex with the crowning jewel one of the largest Baluarte in the Philippines, the so-called, “Gran Baluarte.” According to information board installed beside the Baluarte, “The largest extant Spanish watchtower in the Philippines.”
Completed in 1808, the building is an imposing edifice of hewn coral-stone blocks reaching a height of two stories with walls measuring a meter thick. The ground level was used as a store room for ammunition and weapons and once held a prison cell. The upper level, which today serves as a belfry, was once where the cannons would be placed. According to Cebu Heritage Frontier: Argao-Dalaguete-Boljoon-Oslob, “It was described by the townspeople in earlier times as “dakong balay.” The structure still retains its original clay tile roofing. Today it is home to 4 of the many bells of Boljoon ranging in age from 1883-1937.
Within the watchtower are two floors. The first floor served as Fray Julian Bermejo’s office and later a prison for criminals. The thick coral stone walls give the area a cool atmosphere, in addition two thick windows lined with cylindrical balusters provide ventilation. The stairs are partially original with some parts being restored or replaced during a restoration project in 2013. The wooden flooring on the second floor appears to be original. In the past cannons lined the watchtower, but now bells ranging in date from 1883-1937 cannon ports.
|UnknownCebuStudios| Photos by: John Michael “Dodong” Señor | This is part of the “bit-sized” UnknownCebu Series where Facebook versions of UnknownCebu posts are posted here for public viewing and extra information.
Sources listed in Photos.
