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Top 10 Amazing Facts about Mactan Shrine

Mactan Shrine also known as Liberty Shrine is a memorial park on the island of Mactan in Lapu- Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines.

It is the host to two monuments namely the Magellan monument which is dedicated to Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

The Lapu Lapu monument is a bronze statue that commemorates Lapu Lapu. He was a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers that was led by Magellan in 1521. 

It was established in 1969 as a national shrine through Republic Act No. 5695 during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos. 

The site is believed to be the approximate location of the historic Battle of Mactan that was defeated. 

In 2019 the National Historical Commission of the Philippines announced that it would improve the Mactan Shrine.  

Most people thought it was unfair for the Magellan shrine to be the first thing tourists and visitors see at the entrance of the Mactan shrine.

1. New Lapu- Lapu Shrine

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In 2020, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a design for a new Lapu- Lapu shrine which launched a design competition for a new Lapu- Lapu shrine monument. 

It was meant to serve as a centerpiece of the structure. The NHCP launched bidding in relation to the restoration of the Magellan shrine.

2. Quincentennial Commemorations 

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There was a lot of conversation on the preparation of the Magellan Monument and the Lapulapu sculpture. They were both repainted in preparation for the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

In 2021, the mast at the shrine will permanently hoist the Philippine flag.

3. Description of The Monuments

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The Lapulapu monument is a 20m bronze statue that depicts the image of a noted native leader whose name was Lapu- Lapu.

The statue shows Lapu Lapu holding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. Those are the weapons that were said to have been used by Lapu Lapu in his combat with Magellan.

The Magellan monument is a stone obelisk that was built in 1866 and was dedicated to the explorer Ferdinand Magellan. He is noted for leading the fleet of the first-ever circumnavigation of the Earth.

On the third side of Magellan’s monument has the name f the Spanish governor of the Philippines at the time. On the fourth side, it has the name of the Spanish monarch of the time.

Some Filipinos didn’t like the idea of the monument still getting recognition but the majority of the people remember Magellan as the person who brought Christianity to the Philippines.

4. Shared Media

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The shrine has had multiple tourists who take photos of the Plaque that recounts the defense of Mactan, the plaque that recounts the death of Magellan, and so many more pictures that share the story of the place.

These pictures help everyone years to come to remember the shrine before its possibly changed or redesigned,

5. Future Monumental Museum

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The Lapu- Lapu memorial shrine and museum is a proposed structure to be built inside the Mactan shrine. The structure is meant t be built on the stone adjacent to the Mactan shrine. 

The new monument will be built inside the structure and the design will be derived from the winning entry in a design competition. The existing Lapu- Lapu statue will be kept intact. 

On April 27, 2021, the groundbreaking is scheduled to officially take place.

6. High Tourist Attraction

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The airport in Lapu Lapu city is near the Mactan shrine, this boosts the market of the shrine because most people tend to do such tours last minute. This is also a way to entertain tourists whose flight has been delayed.

The shrine is open to the public meaning at times one can stop by and learn about the significance of the monuments in Philippine history. The shrine displays the painting of the Battle of Mactan. 

The shrine offers the rich history of Mactan and is considered the truest historically accurate shrine. The best way to truly enjoy the shrine, especially for a tourist is the day tour that is offered in Mactan.

The shrine is surrounded by mangroves and shallow water that are compared to the ones that are in the image of the downfall of Magellan in 1521. 

7. The Fame of Mactan Shrine

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The shrine is known for being built in the oldest city in the Philippines. The shrine has had many visitors since it was built, all because of the Magellan monument.

The monument means a lot because it was made after Ferdinand Magellan who was the first person to discover the Philippines. He named the islands after King Philip II of Spain.

The shrine was built in 1866, by the Spanish colonial rulers of the Philippines. His name was written in Portuguese, this was meant to pay homage to his homeland and his mother tongue.

Many believe that the shrine was made in the area where Ferdinand Magellan died during the battle of Mactan.

8. Historical Battle

The shrine notes a fact that not many people know, in Magellan’s last months he managed to carry the favor of all the powerful chiefs in the region. This is with the single exception of chief Lapu- Lapu.

The chief did not take this lightly and ended in what is now known as the most memorable Battle of Mactan.

Many tour guides believe that the Mactan shrine is the approximate location of the Battle of Mactan. The battle was what led to the independent Philippines we now know today.

The shrine holds both monuments of the courageous leader and of the first explorer to discover the Philippines.

9. Spice Islands

The area in which the shrine was built used to be known as the “Spice Islands”  this was the only reason Ferdinand Magellan found interest in the Philippines.

The area was rich the species such as nutmeg and cloves. The spices were needed by most European countries.

10. The Magellan Marker

Inside the grounds of the Mactan Shrine, there is a panoramic painting of the Battle of Mactan. The painting was erected in 1941 by the National Historical Institute. It was constructed of marble and two plaques.

The marker has two plaques one explaining Lapulapu’s history and the other explaining Ferdinand Magellan’s Death.