Puerto Rico Colonial Forts

2010-03-06T23:04:00.000-08:00

Palacio de Santa Catalina

"La Fortaleza" acted as the primary defenses of the settlement which was subjected to numerous attacks.La Fortaleza continues to serve also as the executive mansion for the Governor of Puerto Rico.

La Fortaleza (The Fortress) in the Old San Juan is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan, was the first defensive fortification built for the city of San Juan, and the first of a series of military structures. The structure is also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina. La Fortaleza has acted as the residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, making it the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas.

Although established to defend against Caribe Indian raids, invaders only took the fortress twice in its history: first, by the English in 1598, and then by the Dutch in 1625. read more...

2010-03-06T22:56:00.000-08:00

Old San Juan "City Walls"

Construction began in 1634 after the Dutch sacked the city in 1625. It was essentially completed between 1638 and 1650, but minor work continued until 1678. The wall is composed of two 42-foot high parallel sandstone walls with the space between filled with sand.
It surrounds and fortifies the old city and once included five gates, the last one remaining is San Juan Gate 1790 near La Fortaleza. Some of the wall was dynamited near San Cristóbal Castle to allow the city to expand in the 1890. Portions of the wall have disintegrated due to hurricanes and poor maintenance over the years.

2010-03-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

El Cañuelo Fort, Toa Baja PR.

This fort was originally built in wood in 1610. Due to its location at the entrance of the bay of San Juan, and right across the Fort San Felipe del Morro, across the bay, provided a strategic point to create a crossfire for any invading ships attempting to enter the bay. The story goes that a giant chain was raised through entry (from El Morro to the Cañuelo) To provide a barricade at the entrance.

The fort also guarded the mouth of the Bayamón on the other side. The fort played an important role in the attack Dutchman to the island. At that time it was burnt completely. However, the Spanish rebuilt it in 1670. Strong square, measuring about 80 feet (24 meters) across, with a guardhouse. Originally built on a rocky islet near Cabras Island, was expanded to Artificially Incorporated.

Although difficult to find for tourists, the site features fabulous views of the bay of San Juan and Boca Vieja west side. The fort interior is closed to the public, but one can walk around. Isla de Cabras is connected to the mainland by a causeway.

2010-03-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

Conde de Marisol Fort, Vieques PR.

The "Fuerte de Conde de Mirasol", was the last fort built by the Spanish in the New world. Construction began in 1845, but never completed.

The main structure was used by local governments as a jail into the 1940's. The Fortin was later abandoned and fell into disrepair. An extensive renovation and restoration project completed in 1991.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the museum and grounds. The museum's staff are extremely knowledgeable and informative.
The Fortin itself offers sweeping panoramic views of Isabel Segunda, the Puerto Rico Mainland, Culebra island, and St. Thomas.
The Fortin is now the center of Vieques culture and history. The museum has permanent exhibits of native Taino and Spanish tools and artifacts, and hosts many exhibitions by artists from Puerto Rico and around the world. read more...

2010-03-06T22:13:00.000-08:00

Capron Fort, Guánica PR.

El fuerte fue construido en madera por los españoles mucho antes de la invasión de EE.UU. era un lugar estratégico para el seguimiento thecoast de posibles ataques de piratas y corsarios. Cuanto más fuerte que vemos hoy fue construido en 1898 por los militares de EE.UU. después de la invasión de Guánica el 25 de julio de 1898. Su nombre conmemora el primer soldado estadounidense muerto en Cuba en la Guerra Hispanoamericana capitán Allyn K. Capron. Esta fortaleza es la figura central en el pabellón de Guánica.
El fuerte es de piedra de coral y los ladrillos y tiene una torre de observación, escaleras para subir a la torre y un muro de piedra con espacio para armas de fuego. También hay una mini ciudad o un área despejada donde probablemente había una casa de madera, donde son sólo unos cuantos trozos de cemento, también se puede encontrar una base de hormigón, donde se izó la bandera. Al llegar a la parte superior de la caja, 143 metros, 470 metros sobre el nivel del mar) es el primer premio de esta caza, porque la vista es simplemente espectacular! Venga y disfrute del viaje, el Fuerte Capron, la búsqueda y la maravillosa vista y no te arrepentirás!

2010-03-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

San Geronimo Fort, San Juan PR.

The original Boquerón battery defended San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 and George Clifford, the third Earl of Cumberland, in 1598 who destroyed it after his attack.

In 1609, Governor Don Gabriel de Rojas ordered the construction of the Fortin de San Gerónimo de Boquerón at Boquerón beach, the site of a small, four-cannon defensive battery. The location of San Juan on an islet, slightly separated from mainland Puerto Rico, rendered the city vulnerable along its entire periphery.

In order to protect San Juan from enemy vessels, the Spanish government constructed defensive posts close to the bay's shallow eastern entrance. Improvements to the fort later constructed continued throughout the the 18th century. Fortin de San Gerónimo, and the adjacent Fort of San Antonio, played an important role in San Juan's defense against British attack in 1797. When an English naval force of 60 ships and 3,910 men under Sir Ralph Abercrombie attacked, the men in San Gerónimo, under the command of Lt. Col. Don Teodmiro del Toro, resisted and forced a British retreat. After the attack, however, San Gerónimo lay in ruins. Rebuilt in 1799, it continued to serve as a military post until the early 20th century. read more...

2010-03-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

San Felipe del Morro Fort, Old San Juan PR.

Often called El Morro, this 74 acre fort sits at the northwestern most point of Puerto Rico. El Morro is a term meaning promontory or headland. Its location was designed to guard the entrance to San Juan bay and to defend the city from sea attacks.

In 1539, a tower was first built at the site, however the six level fort was not completed until 1787. Today, the fort is an amalgamation of design by Spanish troops and the US government spanning over 250 years. The El Morro is the largest fort in the Caribbean. read more...

2010-03-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

San Cristobal Fort, Old San Juan PR.

Located a fifteen to twenty minute walk from El Morro, Fort San Cristobal guarded old San Juan from approaches by land. Construction of this 27 acre fort began in 1634 and was finished in 1790. This fort features five independent units, each connected by moat and tunnel. Each independent unit was designed to be completely self-sufficient should the others fall. A labyrinth of tunnels crisscross deep underground where dungeons are located. A guided tour will tour the tunnels and show you where the first shots of the Spanish-American war were fired. These tours run every hour on the hour. Don’t miss the Garita del Diablo or the Devil’s Guerite, a sentry box where according to legend, devours soldiers sent there to guard. read more...