Historical Landmarks
Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral
On March 10,1872, six days after the Spanish expedition arrived in Puerto Princesa, the first mass was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Exequiel Moreno in the same place where the cathedral now stands. He later erected the parish under the patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. It took almost a century though before the present cathedral was built, in 1961, under then Bishop Most Rev. Gregorio Espiga. The interesting angular structure departs from the conventional religious architecture of most churches in the country.
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
This unique “prison without bars” was established by the Americans in 1904. The inmates tend vast farms instead of idly spending time behind bars. The more enterprising earn by making handicrafts and other productive activities during their spare time. Iwahig has since become synonymous to finely handcrafted bags and other souvenir items.
Mendoza Park
Named after Dr. Higinio Mendoza, war hero of Palawan. Doctor Mendoza’s resistance to Japanese control led to his execution at Canigaran on January 24, 1944. His remains and those of several unknown soldiers were entered into the memorial found on one side of the park. The park is shaded by age-old acacia trees and surrounded with ornamental plants. On the east side of the park is an amphitheater where countless presentations are year-long.
Plaza Cuartel
A National Historical Site, Plaza Cuartel is a restored ruin of an old garrison where, in the evening of December 14, 1944 Japanese soldiers burned around 150 American prisoners of war in a tunnel found beneath the park’s portals, which now stands as a grim reminder of World War II atrocities. The remains of those who died were buried at St.Louis Country, Jefferson Barracks, National Cemetery, Missouri, U.S.A in 1952. Only I prisoners survived to tell the story.
Princess Eulalia Park
It features the statue of a princess whom the park was named and a memorial marker as a perennial remembrance of the founders of Puerto Princesa. It is the site where the decree of the foundation of Puerto Princesa was proclaimed by Captain Don Jose Sostao, head of the Spanish expedition, on March 4, 1872 amid salvos of gunfire.