Start a journey in time through Castillo de la Punta

An ideal place to start a perfect journey through Habana Vieja (Old Havana), where Avenida del Puerto Avenue emerge and Paseo del Prado Avenue dies. Almost at intersection of both arteries, San Salvador de La Punta’s Castle, once an important part of Havana’s defensive system, is well preserved.

With other fortification system whom are part of that city, it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1982. In more than 400 years it has withstood the onslaught of corsairs, pirates and weather, a more powerful and implacable enemy when it is accompanied by erosion caused by sea saltpeter.

Its privileged location, at bay entrance, was chosen with intention of entrusting to garrison one of the ends of that iron chain with which entry of bandit ships into rich colonial port was prevented.

Today is a lovely place to see seafaring Cuba’s capital, enjoy breeze in its parks, or learn about our “city of wonders” in the curious museum that was created inside castle.

Several centuries ago…

Every ship that crossed Atlantic, from rich colonies to old Europe, or the other way arround, had to stop at Havana’s port. It was sixteenth century running, and pirates fell on village like the fresh fruit, because of abundant merchandise that was in the warehouses.

After French corsair Jacques de Sores sacked in 1555, Spanish crown began to fortify the city, until it felt safe thanks to trident formed by Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, Castillo de la Real Fuerza and Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta. The importance of these constructions was so great, destined to subject invaders to crossfire, that they were included in Havana’s coat of arms, as one of their heraldic signs.

For more than a century stone walls of San Salvador de La Punta were unassailable for pirates from half world, until British army attacked the rich capital in 1762. More than forty days lasted the siege of the fleet with its 40 ships, and castle succumbed under the bombing.

A Renaissance fortress

Juan Bautista Antonelli, an Italian military engineer, was commissioned to design the bastion, in 1587. He designed it according to model of a Renaissance fortress, as a citadel surrounded by three-meter-thick walls and a protective moat dug into the rock.

Starting with four, that are believed originally had, it has survived three towers, monitoring access by sea and land. Almost 200 pieces of artillery were built with bronze in Mexico and Spain.

Visiting it is an opportunity to travel through evolution of artillery until the end of 19th century in Cuba. The enormous Parrott guns, created by American captain Robert P. Parrott at his foundry in West Point, in the 1860s, are astonishing.

Inside the museum, among pirate ships and treasures

From the late nineteenth century and until the mid-twentieth, the castle was a prison and then navy’s dependencies. In April 2002, after a major restoration, current museum was inaugurated.

In order to penetrate the ancient walls, we have to cross entrance wide gate. There they wait official and informed guides that give people a pleasant tour. We go to three permanent exhibition halls, one of which illustrates the history of this fortress through texts with documents, letters, monarchical provisions and plans presented on large banners, also hoards several showcases with pieces found during archaeological excavations inside the castle.

Further ahead, there is a room made to discover the fascinating history of boat building during colony. There are drawings of gigantic vessels created in Havana, and there are small-scale reproductions of lots of naval models.

For visitors, biggest surprise is the treasure room, where pieces of gold and silver, garments, precious stones, ceramics, astrolabes and other objects found in shipwrecks around Havana’s bay are kept.

Enjoy the old fortress and its surroundings

More than one surprise awaits in San Salvador de La Punta’s Castle. Also in its surroundings. At your side there is a very quiet park where you can sit and rest looking at the bay, Morro fortress and La Cabana, imposing Christ of Havana, as well as passage of large cruises and small boats of fishermen, who enter and leave the port.

That was the place chosen to build a monument that recognizes Cuba’s capital as one of seven wonder cities of the world, and this castle is one of those historical components of the magic of centuries that survives in Havana City.

Originally published at havanaprivatesuite.com.