Moro Watchtowers description and photos - Philippines: Panay Island (Topic)

Moro Watchtowers description and photos - Philippines: Panay Island. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Moro Watchtowers.

Photo and Description

The Moro Watchtowers are one of the main historical landmarks of Gimbal town in Iloilo province on Panay Island. Once upon a time, five fortified towers towered along the coastline, designed to warn the locals of the approach of the warlike Moro pirates. However, today only three of them can be viewed - they have been meticulously renovated and restored to their original form under the direction of the Department of Tourism. There are still not enough funds for the restoration of the remaining two.

These towers were built in the 17th century. Then these shores were often attacked by pirates from the Moro tribe, who destroyed villages and drove the local population into slavery, and then sold on the island of Mindanao. It was then that the inhabitants of Himbal decided to somehow resist the raids - this is how watchtowers were installed along the beautiful southern coast of the sea in different places. Today, you can even see ancient drums on them, which the sentries began to beat when they noticed the approach of enemies. And the towers themselves have long become a symbol of courage and heroism of the inhabitants of Gimbal.

The local population called these fortifications "Bantayan", which means "to protect". Today, next to one of the watchtowers, there is a cozy resort with the same name - "Bantayan Beach Resort".

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Topic: Moro Watchtowers description and photos - Philippines: Panay Island.