MT.

Samat Shrine, Bataan

The Mt. Samat Shrine or “Dambana ng

Kagitingan” was completed and inaugurated
in 1970. The shrine is approximately 72
hectares from the foot up to the cross. The
shrine consists of the Colonnade and the
huge Memorial Cross. The Memorial Cross
is a towering 555-meter structure above sea
level. It is made up of steel and reinforced
concrete and has an elevator and viewing
gallery (arm of the cross). The annual celebration of the “Araw ng Kagitingan” at Mt. Samat is the most
significant event in Bataan. It commemorates the heroism and bravery of Filipino and American soldiers who
offered their lives to defend our freedom and democracy from invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Situated near the summit is the Mount Samat National

Shrine, a national shrine dedicated to the fallen
Filipino and American during World War II. Mount
Samat is a parasitic cone of Mount Mariveles with no
record of historical eruption. The summit of Mount
Samat is 9.2 km (5.7 mi) NNE of the Mariveles
caldera. The scene of their last stronghold is Mount
Samat, the site of Dambana ng Kagitingan. The shrine
was conceived as a fitting memorial to the heroic
struggle and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought
and died in that historic bastion of freedom.