The Unfinished business of Cuartel in Oslob

The Spaniards may have stayed for more than 300 years in the Philippines, but it wasn’t enough to accomplish some of their undertakings – one of which is the Cuartel in Oslob.

Cuartel is an unfinished structure built during the Spanish colonization made through the effort of El Gran Maestro Don Marcus Sabandal. It was initially planned to house the Spanish army and was supposed to take part in the first line of defense of the Spaniards during the attack of the Moros. The strong edifice of the quarters was made from the nineteen centimeters thick, coral stones of the collapsed bell tower of its nearby church Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada.

Photo by Mark Makoy Anthony Encarquez

Photo by Mark Makoy Anthony Encarquez

Photo by Chelle Sabanal Apuya

Photo by Chelle Sabanal Apuya

Photo by Christine Mae Palis

Photo by Christine Mae Palis

Photo by Rachel Chachi

Photo by Rachel Chachi

However, before the Cuartel was put into good use, the Americans took over in 1898 and reigned the Philippines for the following years. It didn’t reach its full-completion and remained as is up to now.

Photo by Jon Clifford Bio

Photo by Jon Clifford Bio

READ: Oslob-Samboan Travel Guide

Take a historical walk and witness the unfolding of this history by visiting the Cuartel!

How to get to Cuartel?

  1. To get there, just ride a bus bound for Oslob at the South Bus Terminal.
  2. Ask the driver to drop you off at the Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada Concepcion Church.
  3. From there, you can just trace the rich history of Boljoon by walking through its oldest street – Calle Aragones – which directly leads to the Cuartel.

map to oslob

Map around Calle Aragones

Map around Calle Aragones

Just in case you want to dig more of our history, feel free to walk around and visit as well Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada Concepcion Church, Baluarte Museum, and the Municipal Heritage Park.

READ: Sumilon Island: Travel Guide

Photo by Erwin T. Lim

Photo by Erwin T. Lim

Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada Concepcion Church. Photo by kotsharatinidor

Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada Concepcion Church. Photo by kotsharatinidor

Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada Concepcion Church. Photo by kotsharatinidor

Nuestra Senora dela Immaculada Concepcion Church. Photo by kotsharatinidor

You may also like to visit the town’s Tumalog Waterfalls and Sumilon island.

READ: Oslob’s Whale Sharks

Remember: Those who don’t know history, don’t know anything. They are like leaves that don’t know that they are part of the tree.

READ: Country Home Resort: Your new staycation down South

Logo