Margarita Island: Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo

Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo is another spectacular fortress on the Margarita Island dating back to 1684. It was designed and built by the Spanish to defend the vital, pearl-rich deep water port of Pampatar from attacks by Dutch, French, and English pirates. The star-shaped for has massive thick walls, series on four corners, a panoramic views of the beaches and coastline. The entire thing is surrounded by a massive moat and a drawbridge connects to the mainland. The coastal battery consists of a dozen cannon pointing across the bay. The fortress was constantly under attack and was actually completely ransacked several times before Venezuela proclaimed independence. Interestingly, before the Spanish evacuated Margarita in 1816, thy tried to blow the fortress up so it would get into the hands of the revolutionary, but it miraculously survived. is! Just across the road from the fortress is a plaza with the historic white church – Iglesia del Santísimo Cristo del Buen Viaje – dating back to mid 1700s.