Overview:

Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (Castle of Saint Peter of the Rock) is a fortress on a cliff in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba. The castle was built in 1638 to protect the port from pirates and attack from other countries. The well-preserved fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes dungeons, a chapel, and an impressive array of cannons and other weapons. Visitors can also learn about the history of the castle and how it was used over the years. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cuba
Prominent Features:

Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (or El Morro) is a castle in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. It is located on the rocky headland of San Pedro de la Roca on the entrance to the bay of Santiago de Cuba and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The castle was designed by the Italian engineer Giovanni Bautista Antonelli and was built in 1638 to protect the harbor from pirate attacks. It stands more than 40 meters (130 ft) tall and is made up of a series of fortifications, walls, battlements and a keep surrounded by a large moat. The entrance is on the side facing the harbor and the castle is divided into four sections - a central nucleus, two semi-circular bastions, and a fortified gate. Today, the castle is a museum and popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the grounds, towers and walls and learn about the history of the site. There is also an auditorium that hosts cultural events and concerts. This national monument of Cuba portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

's south eastern Caribbean coast there is a notable fortress known as the Castillo de San Pedro de La Roca. It is a Spanish fortress built by the Spanish colonizers and was completed in 1638. The Castillo was built in an effort to protect the city of Santiago de Cuba against foreign invaders and pirates. The building of the Castillo was heavily influenced by the military tactics of Italian engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli. The architect of the castillo was Captain Alejo de (ante) Macerena, Antonio de Salcena, and Cosmo Almeida and it took twenty years to build it. In 1662, the Castillo was destroyed by an earthquake but was soon after rebuilt. The Castillo was again destroyed by an earthquake in 1675 but this time the rebuild was a more ambitious project and the fort was quadrupled in size. The restored fort featured higher and bigger walls, a moat that could be flooded when needed, and a drawbridge. In 1741, the Castillo was destroyed yet again by a hurricane and was completely destroyed in 1760 by a second hurricane. It was again completely rebuilt and the fort now featured a far greater number of sophisticated artillery pieces which included some of the most advanced iron cannons of the time, along with many others. The Castillo served its purpose well between the 15th and 18th century, as it protected the city of Santiago de Cuba against many pirates including those of Henry Morgan, Clarence, Morgan, and Jean Read. In addition, in 1762, the Castillo was also considered successful in repelling British forces during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, which ended the Seven Years War in the Caribbean. In 1997, the Castillo was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as recognition of its history and its importance in defending Spanish and Cuban territory during its life as a fortress. Today, the Castillo de San Pedro de La Roca serves as a reminder of the colonial era and plays a role in Cuban history as a symbol of the resistance to foreign invasions. You must visit one of these historical places in Cuba on your Cuba tour

Interesting facts:

1. Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca is a fortress in Santiago de Cuba that was built in the 17th century to defend the harbour against attacks from the sea. 2. The fortress comprises nine bastions as well as a chapel and numerous storerooms. 3. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. 4. It is the most visited site in Santiago de Cuba and was used as a film location for the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”. 5. It is said that the fortress casts an aura of mystery due to its isolated position on the nautical coast. 6. Inside the fortress are two very old tombs, believed to have belonged to two Spanish governors. 7. The fortress has played an important role in Cuban history, playing a part in some of the country’s military battles. 8. It is the only castle in the Caribbean to have survived almost intact from the colonial era. 9. The name of the fortress is derived from San Peter and La Roca which refers to the nearby beach of limestone rocks. 10. The fortress is open to visitors and is a popular place to explore, as it provides views to the Caribbean sea. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cuba with your friends and family.