Margarita Island: Castillo Santa Rosa

Overlooking the town of Asuncion is the Castillo de Santa Rosa, built in 1677-1683. It was specifically built on high ground by the Spanish, following a decorating raid by the French pirates who sacked the town. The fort is star-shaped and made out of heavy coral stone, brick, and limestone mortar. The fortress was built more for observation and early warning purpose and as such has large bell-shoes battlements at corners, offering sweeping panoramic views of the entire valley of La Asuncion, the historic cathedral, and the rugged peaks of Cerro El Copey mountains.