Founded in the early 17th century (around 1614), Cavite Puerto was a key naval yard and fort construction of Fort San Felipe began in 1641 serving as the Philippine endpoint of the famous Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade (1565–1815).
During the height of the Galleon Trade, Cavite Puerto now known as Cavite City was the epicenter of shipbuilding in the Philippines. This fortified port, nestled along Manila Bay, buzzed with the clatter of hammers and the scent of hardwood as skilled Filipino and Chinese shipwrights crafted the mighty galleons that sailed across the Pacific. These massive vessels like the San Diego and Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion carried silk, spices, and silver, linking Asia to the Americas in a global trade network.
Cavite’s shipyards, known as astilleros, thrived due to abundant local timber such as molave and narra, and the expertise of native craftsmen. By the 17th century, the port produced up to two galleons annually, some weighing over 1,000 tons.
Nicknamed "Ciudad de Oro Macizo" (City of Solid Gold) by Spanish chroniclers, it attracted Chinese traders, Mexican sailors, Spanish settlers, and local Filipino workers, turning it into a multicultural hub. Even Chinese emperors sent expeditions here in search of gold!
The Chabacano-speaking community, blending Spanish and local cultures, added vibrancy to this hub, where shipbuilding was not just labor but a legacy of resilience and artistry that shaped Cavite Puerto’s storied past.
Today, it’s the historic core of Cavite City, home to landmarks like the Ermita de Porta Vaga (destroyed in WWII but symbolically tied to the Virgin of Solitude, patroness of the galleons) and neighborhoods like San Roque and Caridad, where Chabacano echoes strongest.
#CaviteCityTrivia #LutongCavite
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