Cuba: Santiago de Cuba – Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Another bona fide UNESCO World Heritage site near Santiago de Cuba – the massive Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress. The name comes from “el morro” which means “promontory”, as the citadel sits on a high cliff overlooking the Carribean. The fortress was founded on the orders of the King of Spain in 1595 and expanded to its current form by 1787, a major stronghold to guard the entrance into the strategic San Juan Bay. The fort played a significant role in protecting the city from attacks by sea and witnessed numerous battles throughout its history – English, Dutch, and Americans attacked here and laid siege several times. The fort’s design – a six-level structure with bastions and thick masonry walls – was crafted to withstand attacks from both land and sea. You can spend a lot of time exploring all this – the maze-like tunnels, barracks, and artillery platforms that once housed soldiers and cannons. There is also the iconic lighthouse, added in the 19th century, that serves as a beacon for ships entering San Juan Bay.
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