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Morro Castle, Havana

Explore the historic Morro Castle in Havana, Cuba

Morro Castle, Havana
© Andrea Nottoli

The striking Morro Castle (Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes del Morro) in Havana was built from 1589 to 1630 when the piracy and looting of others threatened the Caribbean Islands. It stood on the rocky ledge of the city, known as El Morro due to its peculiar shape, and protected the port entrance and Cuban villages from the dangerous Jacques de Sores who had previously attacked the country.

Morro Castle
© Outdoorsgirl

Juan de Texeda and engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli were in charge of executing and designing the structure as commissioned by the King of Spain. Its irregular shape, strong, thick walls, and deep endless moats characterize the castle’s imposing structure. Inside, the castle is connected by various access roads. The chapel features an image of the Three Kings, a reflection of the Military Renaissance architecture at the time.

The castle held up against countless attacks from the Dutch, French, and English. Eventually, the fortress was captured by the British in 1762 after a 44-day siege. 

Once the island was back in the hands of the Spanish government, they proceeded to continue fortifying the castle by building ramps, new entrances, and reconstructing facilities that the English had destroyed. A shattered tower was rebuilt as a lighthouse in 1844. It is the same one you can visit during your trip to the castle, overlooking the castle and sea. 

Today, the castle houses its own Maritime Museum where you can learn about the castle’s history. The castle, inside the Militar Morro-Cabaña Historical Park (Parque Histórico Militar Morro-Cabaña), is home to rich history and culture worth visiting. 

More information:

 Location:

Parque Histórico Militar Morro-Cabaña, La Habana, Cuba.

 Opening Times:

Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

 Ticket Price:

6 CUC to enter the park. 2 CUC to go up to the lighthouse.

Interactive map:

Havana: