El Morro Castle

El Morro Castle, locally known as Castillo del Morro but officially called Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, is situated on a rocky promontory at the entrance to the bay of the city of Havana in Cuba. It is not to be confused with the El Morro Castle in Santiago de Cuba.

Construction of El Morro Castle began in 1590, during the government of Juan de Tejeda, and was completed in 1630, during the government of Lorenzo de Cabrera. It was built by the Italian military engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli, who also built La Punta Castle, on the opposite shore of the bay entrance, about the same time.

El Morro Castle was linked with La Punta Castle via an iron chain during times of uncertainty. In the event of an attack, this chain was tightened, preventing enemy ships from entering the bay. The ground plan of the fort is an irregular polygon, adapted to the shape of the rocks it was built on. It is composed of 3 bastions linked by curtain walls and casemented barracks. It also houses cisterns, a chapel, officers' quarters, a wine cellar, stables, dungeons, and vaults.  Due to the fort's commanding view over the sea and the city at the entrance of Havana Bay, it also served as a watch post to scout for incoming enemy ships.

In January 1762, the British, aware that Spain had made a pact with France to attack them, declared war and planned to seize Cuba. So, in June that year, a British squadron under Admiral Sir George Pocock arrived. They landed at Cojímar Cove and advanced to the city. The hills of La Cabaña were taken without any difficulty, and from there began the siege of the fort, supported by attacks from the sea. On July 30, they managed to breach the fortress's walls after the northeast bastion was mined and took it.

Later in the 18th century, Cuba was returned to Spain. The Spanish then built San Carlos de La Cabaña Castle on the hills east of the fort to prevent a successful siege like in 1762. Up until that new fort was built, El Morro Castle was the strongest defense of Havana.

On the harbor side of the fort, built directly next to it, lies the Battery of the 12 Apostles, a crescent-shaped fortification equipped with 12 large cannons.

The lighthouse at the northwestern end was built during the 19th century.

In the 20th century, El Morro Castle was also used as a prison. During my visit, I was told that Che Guevara also held gatherings in the fort, but I could not find any reliable sources to support that claim.

Today, El Morro Castle is a museum open to the public for a small fee. The modern building atop the castle is used by the Port Authority. A great fort in a fantastic location offering beautiful views over the city.

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