CASTILLO SAN SALVADOR DE LA PUNTA

This small fortress, located at the western entrance of Havana's harbor, played a crucial role in the city's defense in the early colonial period. Built in the 16th century and fully restored, it is a perfect example of the architectural style of the neighborhood. You can also see the old artillery pieces and the original moat, like the Castillo del Morro. The latter was built by order of King Philip II of Spain from 1590, under the direction of the military engineer Bautista Antonelli, who intended to ensure the defense of the city by the crossfire of the two batteries of cannons. Every evening, at the time when the city closes its doors, the two forts are connected by large wooden beams (formerly chains) joined by iron hooks, allowing the troops to join and closing the entrance of the port to undesirable boats. The city thus seemed impregnable until the English attacked by reverse in 1762. They landed further east, on the side of the Guanabacoa hills, and advanced on the Cuban garrison by land. After Cuba's independence, La Punta became the headquarters of the National Navy. Nowadays, the castle houses the Museo del Castillo: an interesting interpretation center exhibiting various objects related to the Spanish colonial fleets, as well as a collection of models of old ships and documents explaining in more detail how the slave trade operated.