ES / EN
- November 29, 2023 -
No Result
View All Result
  • World
  • Cuba
  • Cuba-USA
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Infographic
  • Culture
    • Billboard
  • Sports
  • Styles / Trends
  • Media
  • Special
  • Cuban Flavors
  • World
  • Cuba
  • Cuba-USA
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Infographic
  • Culture
    • Billboard
  • Sports
  • Styles / Trends
  • Media
  • Special
  • Cuban Flavors
ES / EN
Home Cuba Society Cuban History

Havana’s “La Fuerza”

First a military fortress and today a museum, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza is one of the Cuban capital’s emblematic sites.

by OnCuba Staff
January 31, 2022
in Cuban History
0
Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

For Havanans, it is enough to say “La Fuerza” to understand that we are talking about one of the city’s iconic sites, a building that has accompanied Havana since ancient times and on which its symbol par excellence stands: the Giraldilla.

It was in the 16th century, after the disastrous attack on the township commanded by French pirate Jacques de Sore, that the construction of the current Castillo de La Real Fuerza began, after the destruction of its predecessor, La Fuerza Vieja. The original works would take around 20 years, but would later be expanded with other extensions and modifications until it became what it is today.

The castle has a moat and a perimeter wall, and was built following the codes of Renaissance architecture, with a square floor plan divided into nine equal parts, topped by four regular bastions. The thickness of its walls also stands out, which sought to give the building greater resistance in the event of an attack with cannon fire, as happened during the capture of the city by the English in 1762.

Model of Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza, which is exhibited in the building itself. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.       

More than a century before, around 1630, one of its bastions would be placed on top: the Giraldilla. The bronze sculpture, the work of Jerónimo Martínez Pinzón, recalls the one located in the Giralda tower in Seville and, according to legend, is inspired by Doña Isabel de Bobadilla, conquistador Hernando de Soto’s patient and devoted wife, who vainly waited in Havana for his return from Florida.

This 110-centimeter-high weather vane, with the figure of a woman, holds in her right hand a palm tree whose trunk barely remains, and in her left, a pole with the Cross of Calatrava. The original work remained in place for centuries, until it was torn from its pedestal by a cyclone in 1926. It is currently preserved inside the castle, while its place is taken by a replica.

The original Giraldilla, together with a cast bell for the convent of Santa Clara, in Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, which integrated the defensive system of colonial Havana together with fortifications such as those of Morro, La Punta and La Cabaña, served for years as the residence of the island’s governors and as a warehouse for the riches of the Americas on their way to Spain.

It would also serve as a barracks at different times in the history of Cuba, both in the colonial and republican periods, and was also the headquarters of the National Archive and Library. Already after 1959 it has housed several cultural institutions and museums, and has been a space for exhibitions and other artistic activities.

Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a distinctive example of military architecture from the times of Spanish rule in the Caribbean. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Currently, La Fuerza is a museum that, together with the original Giraldilla, tells its own story as a building and exhibits ancient instruments and tools, archaeological pieces resulting from finds on land and also in the sea. In tune with this, it offers visitors elements related to navigation in the area and the history of shipbuilding in Cuba during the colony, with ship models such as the famous Santísima Trinidad, known by the nickname “El Escorial de los Mares.”

With these attractions, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a must-see site for tourists, nationals and foreigners, with the added bonus of being part of the UNESCO World Heritage list along with the entire Historic Center of Havana. Its thick walls and towers shelter part of the history of the Cuban capital and give visitors the opportunity to discover it firsthand.

Moat surrounding Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Main access door to Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Upper part of Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Small cannon in Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Exhibition room in Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Model of the Santisima Trinidad ship, built at the Royal Arsenal in Havana, on display at Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Replica of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha from 1620, on display at Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Silver ewers, 16th-first third of 17th century, from Spain or Hispanic America, on display at Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Orders, medals and attributes, on display at Havana’s Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.

Author

OnCuba Staff
Tags: cuban architectureCuban traditions
Previous Post

Cuba: structures of courts of justice modified

Next Post

Spanish foreign minister: “Everyone, including the Cuban authorities,” want EFE to continue in Cuba

OnCuba Staff

Next Post

Spanish foreign minister: “Everyone, including the Cuban authorities,” want EFE to continue in Cuba

Defrauders of accounts on digital platforms arrested in Cuba

Illegal exit in western Cuba thwarted

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The conversation here is moderated according to OnCuba News discussion guidelines. Please read the Comment Policy before joining the discussion.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Read

  • What foods can be brought to Cuba and what imports are forbidden?

    715 shares
    Share 286 Tweet 179
  • Humanitarian parole: more than 57,000 Cubans authorized to enter U.S.

    9 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 2
  • Díaz-Canel to Cuban emigrants: “we invite you to join this new stage of Cuba”

    9 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 2
  • Marylin Monroe and Afro-Americans

    126 shares
    Share 50 Tweet 32
  • Lessons to Learn From How Cubans Became Republicans

    364 shares
    Share 145 Tweet 91

Most Commented

  • Patricia: a pain before the mirror

    6 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 2
  • What foods can be brought to Cuba and what imports are forbidden?

    715 shares
    Share 286 Tweet 179
  • Marylin Monroe and Afro-Americans

    126 shares
    Share 50 Tweet 32
  • Pablo Neruda was poisoned, according to new expert report

    9 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 2
  • Traveling, importing and sending packages to Cuba: What should you know?

    83 shares
    Share 33 Tweet 21
  • About us
  • Work with OnCuba
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Moderation policy for comments
  • Contact us
  • Advertisement offers

OnCuba and the OnCuba logo are registered® trademarks of Fuego Enterprises, Inc., its subsidiaries or divisions.
OnCuba © by Fuego Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • World
  • Cuba
  • Cuba-USA
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Infographic
  • Culture
    • Billboard
  • Sports
  • Styles / Trends
  • Media
  • Special
  • Cuban Flavors

OnCuba and the OnCuba logo are registered® trademarks of Fuego Enterprises, Inc., its subsidiaries or divisions.
OnCuba © by Fuego Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Exit mobile version