Why is Castillo de San Felipe del Morro famous?

The Castillo San Felipe del Morro, or El Morro for short, was the second fort built on the islet of what is now Old San Juan and Puerta de Tierra. Thanks to El Morro (and El Cañuelo), the Spaniards were able to defend Puerto Rico from invasions by the British, Dutch, and pirates.

What makes El Morro special?

El Morro, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, is Puerto Rico’s most picturesque military structure. The Spanish began construction in 1539, and it took more than 200 years to complete. El Morro fell only once, when England’s Geroge Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, took the fortress by land in 1598.

What was Castillo San Felipe del Morro used for?

Castillo San Felipe del Morro was finished in time to help protect Puerto Rico when the British attacked with considerable resources in 1797.

How old is Castillo San Felipe del Morro?

250 years
Its construction began in 1539 and concluded around 1790; during those 250 years, the castle became a six-level fortress designed to protect the island from attackers approaching by sea.

Why was the Castillo San Felipe del Morro named?

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.

When was El Morro Castle in San Juan built?

A Brief History of El Morro Castle in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Castillo San Felipe del Morro, commonly known as El Morro, is a fortification built in San Juan, dating back to the 16th century, when Puerto Rico was under Spanish rule. Now a Word Heritage site it is one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic structures.

What to do in San Felipe del Morro?

The enormous square yellow building in front of El Morro is a former Spanish barrack that has transformed into a cultural center. On the first floor, there is a coffee shop, a movie theater, and a restaurant. The second floor is the Museo de las Américas.

What was the purpose of the El Morro fort?

History of El Morro. The history of El Morro, or the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, as it is also known, sees construction of the sturdy fort beginning in 1539 under the authorization of King Charles V of Spain. The purpose of the fort was two-fold: It would serve to defend the Puerto Rican port of San Juan and to control entry to this same port.

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