Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Castillo de San Cristóbal
This enormous clifftop fortress, built in stages between 1634 and 1783,
covers 27 acres (11 ha) and is one of the largest Spanish castles built in the
Americas. Towering 150 ft (45 m) above the Atlantic, this wonderfully preserved
marvel of military engineering was connected to Fortaleza San Felipe del
Morro
(see p8)
by bastions stretching along more than half-a-mile (1 km)
of shore. Following the Spanish-American War
(see p31)
, this fortress was
occupied by the US Army until 1961. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it
is managed by the US National Parks Service, whose rangers lead free tours.
Top 10 Features
1 Entrance Gate
2 Plaza de Armas
3 Devil's Sentry Box
4 North Battery
5 Chapel
6 Main Battery
7 Barracks
8 Ordoñez Cannon
9 Great Moat
0 Tunnels
The interior of the fort's
officers' quarters
Watch for interesting
re-enactments in
period uniforms,
such as the British
invasion of 1797, by
The Fixed Regiment
of Puerto Rico living
history group.
!
Entrance Gate
Approached via a
long, sloping ramp that
curves through almost
90 degrees, the arched
entrance gate
(below)
dates from 1783 and is
topped by a decorative
cornice with twin globes.
Yeyo's, a 10- to
15-minute walk from
the fortress, at Calle
San Francisco 353
(787 725 9362), is a
tiny working-class
restaurant serving
tasty
criolla
dishes,
such as
mofongo
(see p50),
at bargain
prices.
@
Plaza de Armas
The fortress's parade
ground was completed in
1783. It is lined with load-
bearing casements which
were used as barracks,
powder magazines, and
officers' quarters fronted by
a loggia (columned balcony).
• Map W5-X5
• Calle Norzagaray
• 787 729 6960
• Open 9am-6pm
• Adm $5; free for
under-15s
• www.nps.gov/saju
Devil's Sentry Box
The lonesome Garita
del Diablo
(right)
, built in
1634, overhangs the ocean
at the tip of the triangular
Fuerte del Espigón (Fort of
the Point). Guards were
stationed here to keep
watch for approaching
enemy intruders.
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