Punta Cruz Watch Tower

The word Punta Cruz was coined from the word “cruz” meaning cross, which was planted on the watchtower to scare the marauders. It was part of a wider defense net built along the Visayan coast to protect local settlers from approaching invaders such as Moro (or Muslim) pirates, who at that time were a threat to the people of Bohol.

It was also believed that the wooden cross which stands in a rock clip that sticks out into the sea was mysterious. Townsfolk believed that a glaring light emanates from the wooden cross everytime a marauder tries to attack the province to defend the island from incoming pirates or raiders. Legend has it that light from the wooden cross causes fear and difficulties for the pirates to sight the land keeping them off the shoreline of Maribojoc.

Today, while the Punta Cruz watchtower no longer serves as a high, safe place from which a guard can keep watch for approaching invaders. It still provides an excellent view. It is still one of the favored tourist attractions in the island, especially among historians.