Inside the gates is an exhibition on the lighthouses of Cuba – El Morro once housed a school for lighthouse keepers. The fort has central barracks up to four stories high. If you stay at the Cabaña after dusk, you will be joined by another wave of tourists, arriving to attend the famous cañonazo ceremony. google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
Situated on a natural rocky elevation at the mouth of Havana Harbor, the
It is a breathtaking experience, and absolutely worth the trip.Experience the magnificent El Morro de Castillo across the Bay of Havana on a visit Visit Havana Vieja on one of our Cuba Tours such as the the Undiscovered Cuba Tour. Morro Castle (Spanish: Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro), named after the three biblical Magi, is a fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay in Havana, Cuba.The design was drawn up by the Italian engineer Battista Antonelli; originally under the control of Spain, the fortress was captured by the British in 1762, and was returned to the Spanish under treaty terms a year later. Nowadays, it’s mostly cargo ships and cruise ships that make their way into Havana’s harbor. It is an inspiring stop on any visit to Havana, and can be appreciated on a quick whirl, or savored slowly over an entire day. They then took control of Havana as well. A number of opponents to the government were imprisoned here, and escape was practically impossible. Morro Castle Spanish language: Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana bay in Havana, Cuba. Cargo ship passing the El Morro fortress. The opposite side of the moat holds more modern guns and cannons, La Bateria de Velasco, and offers a sweeping view down to Cojimar. It is not to be confused with the El Morro Castle in Santiago de Cuba. Pirates and other hostile foreign forces were less of a problem in recent times. Contact us for help planning your Cuban adventure. google_ad_format = "336x280_as";
By far my favorite way to enjoy the Morro is at sunset. El Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro or simply “El Morro” for short, is a quintessential Havana landmark. El Morro Castle. Inside the gates is an exhibition on the lighthouses of Cuba – El Morro once housed a school for lighthouse keepers. No visit to Havana is complete without a trip across the bay to visit this expansive historical complex. Morro Castle appears in the movie The Ghost Breakers (1940), in the background as Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard enter the harbor by ship. Built in the late 16th century, it was conquered by the Biritsh in 1762. A watchtower is no longer needed (and the original one was destroyed when the British captured the castle), but the castle’s elevated position is still helpful for keeping an eye on the harbor. google_ad_type = "text_image";
The castle was attacked on multiple sides and the British were able to take control of Morro Castle Cuba. It first saw action in 1762, while under the command of Luis Vicente de Velasco e Isla. Due to the fort's commanding view over the sea and the city at the entrance of Havana Bay it also served as a watch post to scout for incoming enemy ships. Havana has of course extended far beyond these original city walls, and it definitely doesn’t close up for the night at 9pm. The Spanish then built San Carlos de La Cabaña Castle on the hills east of the fort to prevent a successful siege like in 1762. El Morro: Havana's Richest Historical Landmark, U.S. and Cuba Cultural Similarities and Differences. google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
Designed by Italian engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli and built by slaves with rocks extracted from the moats in the last decades of the 16th century, the Morro Castle to defend the town of San Cristobal de la Habana. The opposite side of the moat holds more modern guns and cannons, La Bateria de Velasco, and offers a sweeping view down to Cojimar. Your privacy is assured, 500 Old York Road, Suite 200 Jenkintown, PA 19046, CST2122545-50Fla. El Morro: Havana's Richest Historical Landmark. Most buildings are constructed and they then serve their purpose for a fair few decades. Morro Castle (Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro) Morro Castle Facts Situated on a natural rocky elevation at the mouth of Havana Harbor, the picturesque Morro Castle was designed by Juan Bautista Antonelli (an Italian engineer) and built during the late 16th century. A small turret at the end of the wall offers views of the sea crashing onto the rocks 20 meters below and take in the dimensions of the huge dry moat. The city of Havana (which was a Spanish territory at the time) needed protection from the regular unfriendly forces who sailed into the harbor, and so 1589 saw the construction of the Morro Castle Cuba. Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro is located in Havan, next to the
Construction work on El Morro Castle started in 1590, during the government of Juan de Tejeda, and finished in 1630, during the government of Lorenzo de Cabrera. //-->. Coordinates: 23°09′01.67″N 82°21′23.99″W / 23.1504639°N 82.3566639°W / 23.1504639; -82.3566639, This article is about the fortress in Havana. A plaque dedicated by the ambassador of the United Kingdom commemorates the 1762 siege and a small memorial is located between two strong powder rooms in the North East Bastion. It also houses cisterns, a chapel, officers quarters, a wine cellar, stables, dungeons and vaults. By using this form, you give us permission to contact you and send you promotional tour offerings. Tres Reyes del Morro's Castle. This chain stretched across the mouth of the harbor and could be pulled up once unwelcome ships were spotted. Get help with directions: