North America · Puerto Rico · San Juan
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
The story
History of Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Six levels of forts and ramparts guarding San Juan's harbour, with a lighthouse and a long history of repelling naval sieges.
Puerto Rico · San Juan · Spanish colonial
- Built
- from 1539
- Era
- Renaissance
- Style
- Spanish colonial
- Country
- Puerto Rico
- Region
- San Juan
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site
- Coordinates
- 18.471, -66.124
In depth
The fuller history
Lying on the northwesternmost point of the islet of Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro is named in honor of King Philip II of Spain. The fortification, also referred to as el Morro or 'the promontory,' was designed to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay, and defend the Spanish colonial port city of San Juan from seaborne enemies. In 1983, the citadel was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in conjunction with the San Juan National Historic Site. Over two million visitors a year explore the castillo, making it one of Puerto Rico's leading tourist attractions.
Key dates
- 15091509 – Spanish settlers from Caparra found San Juan.
- 1591Pedro de Salazar took over construction in 1591.
- 1678Work continues until 1678 to encircle the city completely.
- 1790San Juan became a Defense of the First Order, and one of the most powerful plazas in the Americas by 1790.
- 19081908 – Present lighthouse seen atop El Morro built by the United States Navy.
- 1992Also in 1992, Plaza del Quinto Centenario is built across Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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