Fort San Andres

Fort San Andres stands on a hill directly above Romblon town, built in the seventeenth century of coral and stone as one of a pair of forts - the other, San Andres' companion Fort Santiago, sits on another rise nearby - defending the harbour against raiding parties. It is small: a walled enclosure with bastions, a courtyard and a walkway round the top, taking twenty minutes to look at properly. What makes it worth the climb is the view, which covers the whole of Romblon's natural harbour, the town below with its cathedral, the ferries coming in and the islands of the Romblon group across the strait. A weather station has occupied part of the fort for many years. The town below is the centre of the Philippine marble industry, with workshops along the roads cutting and carving stone quarried on the island, and the cathedral holds a much-venerated crucifix.

The main sights

• The walled enclosure - bastions and courtyard on the hill.
• The harbour view - Romblon town and its port below.
• The island strait - Tablas and Sibuyan across the water.
• The marble town - workshops and stone yards below.

When to go

December to May for dry weather. Late afternoon for light and the view over the harbour; the climb is hot at midday.

Before you go

It is small and takes half an hour. Interpretation is minimal and part of the site is occupied by a weather station. The walk up is short but steep.

Nearby

Romblon town's cathedral and marble workshops are below; Bonbon Beach and Cresta de Gallo are elsewhere in the province.