OZAMIZ CITY | Cotta Fort and Shrine

The Cotta Fort at Ozamis City is, now, a historical landmark, it housed a Japanese garrison during World War II and was damaged during the April 1955 earthquake, it was restored and is now open for visitors and tourists. I did asked my cousin who resides there, what possible spots I could stop by before heading to Oroquieta City. This was one of his recommendation.

The Cotta Fort is a walled fortress presently used as tourist attraction being dated back from history. I never ventured out into this part of Ozamiz City before, as I would just pass by on my way to Oroquieta. The fort front was well maintained. I would have loved to go inside and and take a look but it was a Sunday, and the previous night activities had the place in disarray.

I only got to take the 38-step spiral staircase leading to a 10.6 m. high lighthouse shot from the outside of the fortress. One feature the Cotta Fort is known of. It is the only break from the forts wall , as it looks out to the bay.

The Cotta Shrine lies on the outside western wall of the Cotta Fort. It has enough grounds for children to run around, for families to gather and for the Catholics to have Eucharistic mass celebration. Places like this should start sprouting up everywhere. It encourages the family to spend time together and to bond over packed meals or picnics. My most treasure family memories was going out family bonding at large open areas.

In it’s outside wall of the fort is the carved Virgin of Immaculate Conception that people say has been growing. I looked for past images of it online for comparison but I couldn’t find any. I leave it to locals who says that it does, after all they know the place better than anyone else.

It has a Eucharistic altar and concrete pews for Eucharistic Celebration to be held at the outdoor chapel.

The Kadaugan sa Krus is a symbolic figure on this site. The Birhen sa Cotta is also known as Birhen sa Kadaugan Sa Krus or “Nuestra Señora y del Triunfo”. It stands on the entrance to the outdoor chapel of this shrine.

Fronting the chapel is the Pieta with carved words about it on a marble slab on the ground in Bisaya. This was my first life-sized Pieta statue I’ve encountered and seen. And it gives you utter silence and comfort at the same time. All elements to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ and the sorrow of the grieving Virgin Mary is in play there. An altar at an open space where giggles and laughter of playing children at the background is difficult to imagine and grasp — but here, it is what it is, a is everything normal.

And it is actually comforting to know that young as these children are they are exposed to the religious practices and that families spend time to go out for bonding time. Most of my childhood memories are those from trips like these. 

These are the outside wall of the Cotta Fort, as my mom and I said our prayers at the chapel she headed off to the bay font of the Fort. The fort sits on the shores of the Panguil Bay. 

The outside walls of the Cotta Fort broken by the lighthouse jutting out from the inside and the Cotta Shrine overlooks the Panguil bay. There are benches and large grounds for families and friends picnic on.

We could not see it yet until we got the ledge and saw families and children all over the dark sand and in the waters. Beaches are usually packed with families on a Sunday, I guess this was no exception.

We made our way out and saw campers packing up their tent. They must have stayed the weekend for Ozamiz’ festivities. I guess anyone could stay the night if you may, I would like to do that sort of travelling sometime. But I wouldn’t be trying that with my mom. We headed off to Oroquieta City, also known as Green City. For now I bid, Cotta Fort and Shrine, until my next visit.

+ Visit on the weekdays. That way you can also check out the inside walls of the Cotta Fort.

+ Stop by on a late afternoon. I came by early morning, and the Cotta Shrine was magnificent then, try the afternoon for a sunset effect.

+ If you must test try the waters — pack your swimsuits!^^

+ And bring you cameras ofcourse.

Just take the road on the right when you go through the Ozamiz Port gates and walk to the Fort Santiago.

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“Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness.“