Morro fortress: Exploring Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan
El Morro: Havana’s Richest Historical Landmark
Oct
25
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El Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro or simply “El Morro” for short, is a quintessential Havana landmark. “El Morro” is frequently used to refer to not just this colonial-era Spanish castle, but a two-part defensive complex called the Morro-Cabaña Military Historic Park, which also includes the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress.
The Morro Castle was constructed between 1589 and 1630 at the tip of a peninsula across the bay from the place where Havana was founded – now Old Havana – and just north of the traditionally Afro-Cuban neighborhood of Regla. The Morro was constructed to guard the entrance to Havana against pirates and other colonists eager to gain control of this strategic transit hub between Europe and the rest of the Americas.
Today, the fortress can be reached via ferry or by looping around the bay over land. The castle’s unusual shape hugs the rocky cliffs of the bay, with thick, imposing walls, a moat, and a stoic lighthouse that can be seen from the city. While the strength of the castle was tested on many occasions, it was unable to withstand an attack by the British in 1762, when they took control of the Morro, and thus over Havana. While a year later, Havana was returned to Spain, King Carlos III promptly ordered the construction of the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress to ensure that no such event would ever occur again. Construction on La Cabaña began the following year, and it became the largest Spanish colonial fortress in the Americas, covering an area of nearly 25 acres.
No visit to Havana is complete without a trip across the bay to visit this expansive historical complex. Today, sight-seers can experience much more than just a guided tour of a centuries-old structure. The two castles house a wide range of experiences, making them a great destination no matter what time of day you come, or how much time you have.
In the Morro, you can visit the Maritime museum, which documents the 1762 British attack of that very complex. In recent years, the castle also has taken on a new role as an exhibition space, where various artists both create and exhibit their art. The complex is also spotted with artisan stalls and small stores of all types, so it’s a great place to get in some of your souvenir shopping. In the Cabaña, you can learn about how the fortress has been used across the centuries. Under the dictatorships of the first part of the 20th century, the fortress served as a military prison. After the revolution, Che Guevara occupied the space, a time that is documented in the Museum of Che’s Rule, which is also housed here.
If you stay at the Cabaña after dusk, you will be joined by another wave of tourists, arriving to attend the famous cañonazo ceremony. This nightly ceremony reenacts an 18th century ritual of sounding a canon to signal the closing of the city walls.
Although the city no longer fears attacks from pirates or other opportunistic colonial powers, every night at 9pm, Habaneros in full Spanish military regalia continue the tradition.
What is great about the Morro is that it has something for everyone. It is an inspiring stop on any visit to Havana, and can be appreciated on a quick whirl, or savored slowly over an entire day.
By far my favorite way to enjoy the Morro is at sunset. You can sit on the massive old walls of the castle and ponder the power of this Caribbean jewel under Spanish rule. You can listen to the crashing of the sea against the ocean wall and watch the lights turn on as the sun sinks slowly over Old Havana. You can snap some stunning shots of Havana’s skyline absorbed in purples, pinks, and orange. It is a breathtaking experience, and absolutely worth the trip.
Experience the magnificent El Morro de Castillo across the Bay of Havana on a visit Visit Havana Vieja on one of our Cuba Tours such as the the Undiscovered Cuba Tour.
Cuba remains one of the safest destinations for travel. All insightCuba tours are scheduled to depart as planned and we look forward to sharing everything we love about Cuba.
Written by: Miriam Psychas
Miriam Psychas has a B.A. in History and Literature of Latin America from Harvard University, and spent a semester studying Cuban history, literature, and culture at the University of Havana. She was based in Havana for the fall of 2014 and 2015 directing a study abroad program and in 2016, traveled frequently to the island for her work in US-Cuba relations. She is an avid Cuban salsa dancer, and finds a rueda community wherever she goes!
Morro Castle, Havana . Cuba
- Start based on 14 reviews
- Carretera de La Cabana, Eastern Havana, Havana City. Cuba
- Destination: Havana
- Open: 3,4,5,6,7
- Telephone: (537) 863-7941
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From the 16th century on, the advantages of the natural rocky elevation that lay by the bay’s entrance, called El Morro, became evident. At the beginning two lookouts were posted in this place to watch over the area. They had a slate roofed hut. In 1563, the authorities built a stone and mortar watchtower. The arrival of Tejeda and Antonelli gave El Morro a new importance.
Alongside Antonelli worked his nephew Cristóbal de Roda as the engineer’s assistant. He takes the credit for drawing the first layout of Havana in 1603. In December 1588 the king appointed a keeper in charge of the fortress that was to be called ‘de los Tres Reyes’ (‘of the Three Kings’).
Morro FortressBy 1594 El Morro already had a big moat and other changes that had been brought about by the survey made by the Fleet’s Captain Francisco Coloma, who had found El Morro too weak on the land side due to its low walls and the shallowness of the moat. Late in 1602 the wall facing the sea was erected by the entrance of the bay. Soon after a gun battery having twelve cannons was placed on a platform. From that time on they were known as Los Doce Apóstoles (The Apostles). Near the fortress another twelve were placed, known as La Pastora (The Shepherdess). Construction works ended by 1630.
Morro FortressEl Morro is designed to fit in the sharp accidents of the elevation holding it, and to create successive levels of defensive fire all the way to sea level.
It is an irregular polygon. The stones used in its construction were cut on the spot, dug out from the area of the moats. El Morro has wells, barracks, dungeons and a church. In the structure of the fortress there was a turret called El Morrillo used as watchtower. The number of ships within sight was announced with the tolling of the bell and with flags hanging over the gate of the castle. In December, 1845 a tower 30 meters high and 5 meters in diameter was inaugurated. It would become a symbol and a beacon of the city. The light of the lighthouse has a range of 35 miles.
El Morro was the main scenario of the battle when the English attacked and captured the city with a powerful fleet in 1762. As a result of that battle, the bastions and walls were practically razed, having received the impact of forty thousand bombs and projectiles, as stated in British documents of the time. Then the Spanish flag was pulled down and substituted by the English one until the next year, when the city was again under Spanish rule.
The fortress was rebuilt.
Morro Fortress Morro Fortress is itself a large museum piece which tells us about the solutions of the renaissance architecture applied on the military strategy. Two theme halls show the visitors the history of navigation in Havana harbour, where objects rescued from a sunken ship at the entrance of Havana Bay in the 19th Century can be seen. Several temporary expositions with a number of themes are simultaneously displayed.
The Three Morro Kings Fortress is included in the system of fortress that along with Old Havana was declared by the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Permanent exposition and a visit to the top of the beacon to enjoy the best views of the city are among its main attractions. In the evening the ceremony of lifting the flag takes place, according to the maritime traditions.
Morro Castle is located in Havana
Capital of Cuba and the country’s administrative, political, cultural and scientific center, it is also the capital of two provinces: City of Havana and Havana.
Though only around 280 square miles (727 square kilometers) in size-0.65 percent of the archipelago’s total area.
The Old Havana and system of forts led UNESCO to declare it a part of world heritage in 1982. Founded on its present site in 1519, the settlement of San Cristobal de La Habana prospered mainly due to its bay, which was a natural port of call for ships sailing to and from the New World. Starting in 1634, because of its strategic location, San Cristobal de La Habana was considered the key to the New World-as attested to by royal letters patent-and the main defense of the West Indies.
The Cuban capital consists of an immense number of buildings in a wide range of architectural styles, built in the course of nearly five centuries. These styles range from the pre-baroque to the baroque, neo-Gothic, neoclassical, eclectic, art noveau and art-deco, to the modern.
Alejo Carpentier, one of Cuba’s most famous authors, called it “the city of columns” and focused attention on its streets, which he considered a perennially rich show of life, humanity and contrasts that was bound to entertain any observer.
Over 14 kilometers of excellent beaches lie to the east of the Cuban capital. To the south, a green belt contributes to a healthful atmosphere.
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Review about Colonial Fortress: Morro Castle
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Morro Castle
Construction of the Morro Castle, the fortress located at the entrance to the harbor, began in 1589 and concluded 1630, with the objective of warding off attacks by pirates and enemy fleets.
It has since become one of Havana’s most emblematic monuments. In 1762, during the seize of Havana by the British, the castle was defended by Luis Velasco, who was in command of the garrison and preferred to die rather than surrender. The lighthouse (45 m high) was added in 1845 and is now considered the distinctive symbol of Havana.
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Havana symbol
El Morro, perhaps one of the symbols of Havana together with the Giraldilla and other monuments. A must to every visitor who wants to enjoy nice views of havana and learn more about cuban and havana history.
Its construction started in 1589 and finished in 1630. Its construction was directed by Juan Bautista Antonelli, an Italian military engineer, who also was architect of San Carlos de la Cabana. It was the most important fort of the colonial times, not only from the strategic-military point of view, but also for its effectiveness as lighthouse and symbol of the city.
When the British invasion took place in 1762, the castle was damaged. So it had to be reconstructed and upgraded. The lighthouse was built in 1844 to replace with a more modern one, the existing model from 1764. Declared National Monument years ago.
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Fortress of San Pedro de la Roca (Fortress of Castillo del Moro)
Fortress of San Pedro de la Roca (Fortress of Castillo del Moro) is located on the southeast coast of Cuba, in the city of Santiago de Cuba.
In the 17th century, the city was repeatedly attacked by English, French and Antillean filibusters, who robbed the townspeople, seized merchant ships and weapons. In 1638, in order to protect the bay and the city of Santiago de Cuba from the attacks of Caribbean pirates, the governor of the city, Pedro de la Roca y Borja, initiated the construction of a powerful defensive structure – the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca. The author of the project was the Italian military engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli, the construction of the fortress was carried out from 1638 to 1700, Antonelli personally supervised the work until 1645. Castillo del Moro is located on the steep rocky slope of El Moro, at an altitude of 70 meters above sea level. The fortress consists of several terraces located one above the other and interconnected by stairs and a complex system of passages. The lower level contained a platform for guns, a powder magazine, a command post and a guard post. On the next level (platform of the Holy Gifts), firing points, a warehouse for storing gunpowder and living quarters for the garrison of the fortress were placed.
At the highest level is the platform of the Holy Trinity with firing batteries, bastions, watchtowers and defensive ramparts. In the 19th century, the Semaphore Tower, the chapel of Santo Cristo, the lighthouse and the bastions of Scopa Alta and Vigia were built in the fortress. During its existence, the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca repeatedly repelled pirate attacks, so in 1678 the fortress withstood the attack of the French squadron, and in 1680 – the attack of 800 Antillean pirates led by the filibuster Frankesma. In the first half of the 18th century, with the end of the “golden age of piracy”, the threat of a pirate attack on Santiago de Cuba came to naught, and the Castillo del Moro fortress was converted into a prison (among its prisoners there were many fighters for the independence of Cuba). The fortress was last attacked in 1898, during the Spanish-American War, when the US Navy attacked the city. Since that time, the Castillo del Moro fortress has been in disrepair, its reconstruction was carried out in the 60s of the XX century in accordance with the clauses of the Venice Charter of 1964 on the conservation and restoration of historical monuments.
Since 1978, a museum has been opened in the fortress, the exposition of which introduces the history of piracy in the Caribbean region, the history of the Castillo del Moro fortress (stages of construction, military-defense and prison periods), a separate exhibition is dedicated to the naval battle of the American and Spanish squadrons for the city of Santiago de Cuba at 1898 year. In 1997, the fortress of San Pedro de la Roca was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the best preserved example of Spanish colonial military architecture.
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Wine Velenosi Imprime Lacrima di Morro d’Alba (Imprime) dry red 0.
75l Alcohol 12.5% | Wine boutique «Darwin»
IT
Code: 71.3497.1155
Product category:
Wine
Intense ruby color with a purple sheen.
Demonstrates a velvety texture and well-balanced taste with light tannins and subtle vegetable nuances.
A very rich, intense aroma offers notes of berries (strawberries and cherries), violets and rose blossoms.
Excellent in combination with pasta with chicken meat in tomato sauce, with mature cheeses.
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Wine is an alcoholic beverage obtained by complete or partial alcoholic fermentation of grape or fruit juice, to which alcohol and other substances are sometimes added ( this is the so-called fortified wine).
Wines have several classifications.
By appointment
they are divided into dining and dessert: the first is used as a flavoring addition to the table, and the second is served with sweet treats.
By color
the drink is divided into white, red and pink varieties.
White wines are those that range in color from light straw to tea or amber.
No less rich colors in red and rosé wines – from light ruby to rich pomegranate.
White wines darken over time, while red wines, on the contrary, turn pale, because coloring substances tend to precipitate. The latter, by the way, is not at all a defect in the drink, on the contrary, it serves as reliable evidence that this product is completely natural.
By quality and aging time
wines are distinguished as young, aged, unaged, vintage and collection wines.
According to the content of alcohol and sugar
wines are divided into table (dry, semi-dry and semi-sweet), special or fortified (strong, dessert, liqueur, etc.), flavored and sparkling (the most famous among them is champagne).
Wine accompanies all holidays and solemn events.
This old drink does not tolerate illegibility in use: there is a special wine etiquette, according to which certain types of drink must be combined with certain dishes.
For example, dry red wine is served with veal, lamb, game, barbecue, boiled pork and pilaf.
White table wines go well with appetizers, light fish and meat dishes, while natural semi-sweet, semi-dry and dry wines go well with vegetables.
Cooking with wine is for professionals. Only experienced chefs know what sort of this drink to add to a certain dish.
Wine is most commonly used as a marinade ingredient and as a cooking liquid, but it is also added to ready-made dishes to give them a special flavor.
This fragrant drink has strong therapeutic and dietary properties.
It relieves fatigue and tones.
The use of wine for medicinal purposes is due to the content of many useful substances in it. These are organic acids, fructose and glucose, minerals (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium), tannins and vitamins of groups B, C and P.
Red wines are richer in valuable ingredients than white wines.
Moderate consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease due to their high antioxidant content.
Wine also has some antibacterial properties.
Not for nothing, when you have a cold, it is recommended to drink mulled wine – warmed wine with sugar, cloves and cinnamon.
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