History by the shore Baluarte Watch Tower, La Union.
Baluarte Watch Tower One of the top destinations you shouldn’t miss in La Union
I recently had a quick getaway to the province of La Union. It was only a day tour, as the main purpose of our long drive was to break in our recently acquired vehicle.
This was actually my first time exploring La Union. I’ve heard a lot of great feedback about this province, but I never had the chance to experience it personally—until now.
I’m really glad I finally did. One of the reasons I chose La Union for the break-in drive is because it’s ideal—the roundtrip distance is around 650 km, which helped me get closer to completing my car’s first 1,000 km.
Anyway, going back to my La Union experience—despite having limited time and visiting only a few places, I can honestly say we enjoyed it to the fullest.
We started driving from NCR at around 1:00 AM, aiming to arrive in Luna, La Union by 5:30 AM. After a few stopovers, we reached our first destination at around 6:30 AM. And that is the Baluarte Watch Tower. I thought the place would still be quiet since it was early, but to our surprise, it was already full of visitors—most of them coming from Manila as well.
Once I stood here, I realized that La Union isn’t just about the waves. There’s something deeper… a quiet beauty in its scenery, and stories from the past that you can almost feel in the air.
Baluarte Watch Tower made me pause, reflect, and appreciate how much history lives in this simple place. This is definitely one of those destinations you shouldn’t miss when you visit La Union.
Baluarte Watch Tower gives you a beautiful glimpse of history and coastal charm
A 400-year-old watchtower stands proudly facing the West Philippine Sea, built during the Spanish period. This 5.6-meter-high structure, made of reddish bricks, is located in Barangay Victoria in the Municipality of Luna. The Spaniards constructed the tower as a lookout point to monitor approaching threats from Japanese, Chinese, and Moro pirates, as well as other invaders targeting the coastal towns of La Union. From this vantage point, guards were able to warn the locals of Luna, giving them time to protect and defend their properties from raiders.
This 400-year-old structure, built during the Hispanic era, stands as a beautiful reminder of the province’s rich history.
The Baluarte also served as a communication tower during World War II. Over time, however, the structure suffered significant damage. Its foundation eroded, causing the tower to split vertically into two halves. Both sides were later supported by concrete posts to prevent total collapse. Recently, strong waves and powerful winds brought by a typhoon caused the tower to split completely.
The Philippine government eventually restored the Baluarte, carefully preserving its original architectural design and materials. Today, the rebuilt structure reflects a blend of old and new architecture. Despite the changes, it remains an important historical landmark in the province—symbolizing the resilience, stability, and unity of the people of Luna.
You can enjoy this place without paying any entrance fee. The Watch Tower also makes a perfect photo background—it feels like it takes you back to the Spanish era.
There are plenty of locals around who offer photo services, and they are truly skilled at capturing great shots. There’s no fixed rate for their service—they gladly accept any amount you wish to give.
There are also souvenir vendors in the area selling our favorite ref magnets and other accessories.
If you get hungry or thirsty, there’s a restaurant on-site where you can grab a meal.
After spending almost an hour here, we headed to Bato de Luna, which is just a few minutes’ drive away.
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