Fortaleza San Felipe
Dominican Republic · Americas
About
The Fortaleza San Felipe is a historic Spanish fort located in the north of the Dominican Republic in the province of Puerto Plata. Also known as El Morro de San Felipe, it was used to protect the City of Puerto Plata from foreign invaders, pirates, and privateers. It is located on a hill at the Puntilla del Malecón (the "seawall point"), overlooking the entrance to the city's seaport.
The fort's construction was commissioned in 1564 and completed in 1577. It was named for King Felipe II of Spain. It was abandoned from 1605 to 1736 as a result of the Devastations of Osorio. The fort is one of the oldest European structures in the Caribbean, and is the only remnant of the 16th century in Puerto Plata.
Today, the Fortaleza San Felipe serves as a museum showcasing the important role it has played in the history of Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic. The fort houses military artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.