The Municipality of Boljoon is around a hundred kilometers away from Cebu City. It is one of the oldest towns in the island. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the place was already a small community that subsisted on farming and fishing. Excavations in the area showed the settlers were using Chinese porcelain, bolos, and brass beads. The town was established in 1598 while the parish was set up in 1599 basing on existing Augustinian records. Boljoon is considered as the most picturesque town in the island.
The El Grande Baluarte was part of the complex coastal defense set up by Fr. Julian Bermejo to protect southern Cebu from Moro raiders. The blockhouse has had two levels and faced the sea. During the time of Fr. Bermejo, It was used as a bulwark and watchtower. It was completed in 1808 and featured a storeroom for weapons and ammunition in the ground floor. A prison cell can also be found on the ground floor of the structure. The upper floor was the defense station and was armed with cannons.
Your trip to Boljoon starts at the Cebu South Bus Terminal where you can ride on a bus headed for the town. The trip will take around three to four hours depending on the traffic.