San Pablo Heritage zone or The city of San Pablo Heritage zone (Tagalog: Sonang pamana ng San Pablo), is a location in San Pablo city, Laguna containing built structures from the Spanish and American colonial era, historical monuments and objects of historical and cultural significance.
Background
San Pablo city is one of the oldest documented settlements in the Philippines. In 1586, Captain Juan de Salcedo arrived in the village of Sampaloc, an upland community of Tagalog and Aeta.[1]
Geographically, the city is the heart of the Laguna Volcanic Field, which explains the abundance of unique geological structures such as the crater lakes, hills and others.[2]
Politically and economically, San Pablo is one of the most prosperous cities in the country in the early 20th century, owing to its main produce of coconuts.[3] It is also the first city in the province of Laguna as established by Commonwealth Act no. 520.[4]
The city is also home to the see of the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Pablo, a diocese which oversees catholic churches in the province of Laguna.[5]
As expressed in City Ordinance (CO) 2018–53 by the local government of San Pablo city, the San Pablo Heritage zone was established to preserve and enshrine the legacy and history of the city.[6]
Listed below are structures included in the heritage zone.[6]
Image
Name of structure
Location
Description
Year completed
Notes
San Pablo Old Capitol building
14.0746 ° N, 121.3249° E
Designed by Arch. Antonio Toledo in the Neoclassical style, this American colonial era structure was the seat of municipal power. Currently houses the Museo de San Pablo.
The city's main public square, where the Brothers Juan and Epitacio Belen, Spanish era martyrs were drawn and quartered.
Contains a statue of Dr. Jose Rizal- one of the oldest monuments to the hero in Laguna, a historic fountain and the historic marker for the city of San Pablo