El Morro Fortress

El Morro is Havana’s most iconic military structure, instantly recognisable by its lighthouse marking the entrance to the harbour. In Spanish, morro means “nose”, but it can also refer to a high or rocky point, which is exactly where this fortress was built. Its full name is Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magnos del Morro – quite a mouthful! Commissioned by the Spanish King, construction began in 1589 and lasted until 1630. Its purpose was simple: defend the city. At the time, Havana was a key port for shipping gold and silver from the Americas to Europe, making it a target for pirates, privateers, and enemy nations, especially the British. Despite its heavy defenses, including support from the nearby Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Havana fell to the British in August 1762, after a 44-day siege. They occupied Havana for 11 months before trading it back to Spain in exchange for Florida. To prevent future invasions, Spain built the even larger La Cabaña Fortress next door. By 1775, El Morro had become a political prison. If you look closely at the back wall, you’ll see openings where prisoners were thrown to the sharks below. After the success of the Cuban Revolution in January 1959, Che Guevara took control of El Morro and used it as his headquarters for three months. Today, you can visit the Museo de la Comandancia del Che, which preserves part of that revolutionary chapter. Visiting El Morro feels like stepping back in time, especially if you visit at 9 p.m., when the Cañonazo Ceremony takes place. A cannon is fired each evening, just like in colonial times, to mark the closing of the city gates.