Hi friends of Pinmapple.
The city of Havana, in Cuba, is full of history and emblematic places that reflect its cultural richness. This week I bring you a chronicle of a view of the eastern part of Havana. As you will remember, last week I told you about my experiences about the tour taken by the Camilo Cienfuegos Department. On this occasion the objective of my visit was the Castillo de los 3 Reyes del Morro, or simply, Castillo del Morro, as it is popularly known. This fortress stands majestic at the entrance to the bay of Havana, protecting the city for more than 400 years.
Let's make a little history
The Castillo del Morro was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century, with the aim of protecting the entrance to the bay of Havana from the attacks of pirates and corsairs who were lurks in the Caribbean. Its structure is imposing and has several defensive elements, such as a moat, walls, cannons and a tower that served as a lighthouse.
This fortress kept the city safe for almost 2 centuries until in 1762 the English took Havana, turning out to be one of the most important events of the second half of the eighteenth century for Cuba, the Caribbean region and the Western Hemisphere. One of the objectives that the English sought when taking the city of Havana was to soon end the war against the Spanish-French alliance, since once the Havana region was in their possession, they had under their mantle the center of trade and navigation of the Spanish Indies, stopping Spanish power in the region. However, it should be noted that El Morro resisted the English naval attack and this was ineffective because the fortress was too high.
After the occupation of the city, the English landed the artillery of their fleet and a formal siege was instituted. Two days later the siege was underway and El Morro was bombed both by land and by sea while the city was being sacked. Only then did the fortress of the Morro fall into the hands of the enemy.
Having said that, a question comes to mind. Why was this fortress so effective?
Upon entering the Castillo del Morro, the first thing that is striking are its corridors with its winding layout that connects to squares and rooms that were used to store weapons and ammunition, you can also see the different rooms where the soldiers and officers who worked in the castle lived. All these elements are protected by walls and canyons. Really this design tends to confuse and disorient those who are not familiar with it and it occurs to me to think that it is part of what you want to achieve if some intruder penetrated the fortress.
The walls of the Castillo del Morro are imposing and are built with large blocks of stone. These walls surround the entire fortress and have a height that ranges between 10 and 15 meters. In addition, they have numerous towers and battlements that give them an imposing and defensive appearance.
In the upper part of the walls of the Castillo del Morro, you can see several iron cannons that were formerly used to defend the city from enemy ships. You can also see several viewpoints from where the soldiers watched the horizon in search of possible attacks.
The canyons are another of the highlights of the fortress, with a total of 138 distributed in different strategic points. Many of them are original and date back to the time of the construction of the Castillo del Morro.
In the castle there are a series of underground tunnels that were used to store ammunition and as a shelter for soldiers and in the exterior areas of the buildings there are a large number of moats. The moats of the castle also have an irregular layout, which facilitates defense in case of an attack by this route, since they are always surrounded by walls on all four sides.
The tower is one of the most emblematic places, since it functioned as a lighthouse to guide the boats approaching the bay of Havana. This structure has a cylindrical shape, with a focal height of 44 meters and emits two white flashes every 15 seconds. From there, you have an impressive view of the city and the sea.
What does the Castillo del Morro offer us today?
Today the Castillo del Morro is one of the main tourist attractions of the city and thousands of visitors come every year to admire its beauty and history.
From its terraces, you can contemplate spectacular views of the bay and the city, with its colonial buildings and its colorful neighborhoods of the oldest area of the city as well as the tallest buildings of the most modern area of the city.
There we can find a museum, where you can see numerous objects and documents related to the history of the castle and the city. Among the most outstanding pieces are the original cannons that were used to defend the city, as well as ancient maps and personal objects of the ancient inhabitants of the castle.
Strolling through the gardens of the Castillo del Morro is a magical experience, with its cobbled paths, its leafy trees and its panoramic views. In summer, you can enjoy outdoor concerts and other cultural activities, which make the castle a true center of the city's social life.
Conclusions
In short, the Castillo del Morro is a historical and cultural treasure of Havana, a place that evokes the greatness and courage of the men and women who fought to defend this city and its freedom.
Visiting this castle is a unique and unforgettable experience, which transports us to a bygone era in the history of Cuba and allows us to admire the beauty and grandeur of this city and its people.
Its defensive elements, its structure and its geographical location make this fortress an essential place for anyone who wants to know the cultural richness of Cuba.
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| Photographer | @r4f4 |
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