El Castillo San Felipe del Morro (Fort El Morro), San Juan (must see)
The Fort San Felipe del Morro, or simply El Morro, is a 16th-century citadel on the northwestern tip of the San Juan islet, named in honor of King Philip II of Spain. It was the second military installation, after La Fortaleza, built in what is now known as the Old Town.
The construction began in 1539, authorized by King Charles V, and was finished in 1790. During that period, El Morro had been transformed from a promontory mounted with a cannon to a six-level fortress designed to guard the entrance to the bay of San Juan from seaborne invaders. Many more structures were added to the complex over the next 400 years; the outer walls, built initially 6 feet (1.8 m) thick, were augmented to 18 feet (5.5 m) by the end of the 18th century.
Thanks to El Morro, the Spanish were able to defend Puerto Rico from invasions by the British and the Dutch, as well as pirates. In 1898, following the Spanish-American War, the island changed hands from Spain to the United States. El Morro was actively used as a military installation during the First and Second World Wars.
In 1961, the US Army retired El Morro, passing it on to the National Park Service to use it as a museum. In 1983, El Morro and the walled city of Old San Juan were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Tips:
A ticket to El Morro allows entry to the Castillo San Crist贸bal (and vice versa) for a single fee.
The construction began in 1539, authorized by King Charles V, and was finished in 1790. During that period, El Morro had been transformed from a promontory mounted with a cannon to a six-level fortress designed to guard the entrance to the bay of San Juan from seaborne invaders. Many more structures were added to the complex over the next 400 years; the outer walls, built initially 6 feet (1.8 m) thick, were augmented to 18 feet (5.5 m) by the end of the 18th century.
Thanks to El Morro, the Spanish were able to defend Puerto Rico from invasions by the British and the Dutch, as well as pirates. In 1898, following the Spanish-American War, the island changed hands from Spain to the United States. El Morro was actively used as a military installation during the First and Second World Wars.
In 1961, the US Army retired El Morro, passing it on to the National Park Service to use it as a museum. In 1983, El Morro and the walled city of Old San Juan were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Tips:
A ticket to El Morro allows entry to the Castillo San Crist贸bal (and vice versa) for a single fee.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Juan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
El Castillo San Felipe del Morro (Fort El Morro) on Map
Sight Name: El Castillo San Felipe del Morro (Fort El Morro)
Sight Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (See walking tours in San Juan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (See walking tours in San Juan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Create Your Own Walk in San Juan
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Juan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Souvenir Shopping
The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493 and the ensuing Spanish colonization brought into Puerto Rico a number of new crafts. Over the next few centuries, having mixed up with local traditions, they have flourished on the new turf, producing an array of colorful products that today are sought after by tourists visiting the island. While in San Juan, it would be a pity to leave town without... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
San Juan Historical Buildings
One of the oldest capital cities on the American continent, San Juan, Puerto Rico, boasts an old town that is filled to the brim with heritage colonial architecture.
Chief among its historical buildings, La Fortaleza, or The Fortress, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico and the longest-standing executive mansion in continuous use in America. At the same time, the Cathedral... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chief among its historical buildings, La Fortaleza, or The Fortress, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico and the longest-standing executive mansion in continuous use in America. At the same time, the Cathedral... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Old San Juan Squares
A distinctive feature of Old San Juan is the multitude of quaint picturesque squares, many of them adorned with beautiful fountains and spectacular monuments. Each square has a unique character and historical significance, making them integral to the city's identity.
Plaza Colon, also known as Columbus Square, pays homage to Christopher Columbus and his exploration of the New World. It... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Plaza Colon, also known as Columbus Square, pays homage to Christopher Columbus and his exploration of the New World. It... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Old San Juan Walking Tour
Founded by Spanish colonists in 1509, at a site then known as "Puerto Rico" (which means Rich Port in Spanish), San Juan is the third oldest capital in the Americas established by Europeans. In 1521, the words "San Juan" were added to its official name, thus making it "San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico". This was in keeping with the custom of christening the town with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
13 Distinctively Puerto Rican Goods to Bring Home from San Juan
The uniqueness of Puerto Rico is partially associated with its political status - part of the United States yet with a Latin twist. Other than their widely-acknowledged musical talents, e.g. Carlos Santana and Ricky Martin, Puerto Rico is just as rich in many other good things. When you're in...