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San Salvador de la Punta Fortress

San Salvador de la Punta History

San Salvador de la Punta is a remarkable fortress built between the late 1590 through the middle of the 17th century to safeguard the main entranceway to the bay and harbor of Havana.

The fortress was commissioned by Felipe II and and the design and construction were handled by the famous Italian engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli. 

Although the fortress first served as a storehouse for weapons and artillery, it was soon connected to El Morro in 1630 via a heavy copper chain held by strong wood beams.

The Fortress Today

The San Salvador de la Punta now houses remains of the chain mechanism, four esplanades, huge canons fixed in the rocks, a memorial park paved with scarlet ceramic tiles, and a highly distinctive but wrecked Spanish ship with heavy cargo.

The castle underwent massive restoration works in 1997 and today it shines in its true splendor. Entrance fee to the castle costs $3.

Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta Map

San Salvador de la Punta is located in Malecón, Havana, Cuba
Geographic Coordinates: 23.146253, -82.357719

 
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San Salvador de la Punta Photos

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San Salvador de la Punta by etccdb
San Salvador de la Punta tower by Jennie Rainsford
San Salvador de la Punta detail by René Mayorga
San Salvador de la Punta view by Tony Hadnutt
 
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