La Real Fuerza Castle, Old Havana

Step into the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Royal Force), a former defense fortress in Old Havana, Cuba

La Real Fuerza Castle, La Habana
© Josh McLeod

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Royal Force) is a fortress on Avenida del Puerto (Harbor Avenue). The avenue is near the Plaza de Armas, one of the four main squares in Old Havana. The fortress’ proximity to these two city highlights are indicative of the critical role it played in protecting the city against the former Spanish regency. Today, it stands as a prime example of military architecture and offers visitors a glimpse into Cuba and Spain’s colonial past.

Before the Castillo de la Real Fuerza defended Havana, another fortress stood in its place. But, like the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, its location was far too inland, thus making it difficult to protect the city from pirates and other enemies who attacked from the shore. One attack from the French and the fortress was demolished. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, built as a replacement, began construction in 1558 and finished in 1577. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, unlike its predecessor, was able to resist attacks from the English and continues to stand over Havana today. It is the oldest building of its kind across all of the Americas.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the fortress not only defended the city of Havana, but it also housed valuable objects that belonged to the Spanish crown. Come the twentieth century the fortress took up other roles. It became home to institutions such as the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library) and the Comisión Nacional de Monumentos (National Monuments Commission).

Today, the fortress continues to attract visitors due to its magnificent renaissance style and folklore. The legend behind La Giraldilla, the weathervane on top of the entrance, explains the reason it is shaped in the figure of a woman. It represents a woman who waited for her husband to return, but never did because he had passed. Her husband condemned her to die with him.

During your visit, be sure to try and spot some of the fortress’s imperfections during your visit: an incredibly small courtyard, missing staircases, and a lack of weaponry. While some of these mistakes were fixed over the years, many were not.

You can also enjoy the Museo de la Navegación (Navigation Museum) during your visit to the fortress where you can learn about the island's naval history, visit exhibitions filled with objects from the colonial era, and see a scale model of the fortress. The museum is located within the moat that surrounds the fortress.

More information:

Location:

Avenida del Puerto, Plaza de Armas, La Habana Vieja, Cuba.

Opening Times:

Everyday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm

Phone Number:

(+53) 8644490.

Interactive map:

Havana:

Old Havana

Parque Histórico Militar Morro Cabaña

Centro Habana

Vedado

Miramar

What to see around Havana

Other nearby destinations:

Why "Cuban Travel Agency"?

"Cuban Travel Agency" is part of the Visitar Cuba project, an organization of Cuban agencies whose objectives are:

✓ Disseminate Cuba, its culture and its heritage.
✓ Promote sustainable tourism.
✓ Support the local economy, prioritizing direct contact with Cuban agencies.
✓ Offer budgets without commitment and without cost, from the hand of Cuban experts.

Ask for your estimate

Travel agencies and Tour Operators

If you are an agency or tour operator and you are looking for help to create trips to Cuba, trust our expert hands, we offer special prices.

Special prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators