The Castillo de la Real Fuerza

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza is the oldest stone fortress in the Americas. Its striking star-shaped design is hard to miss, especially from above! Built in the 16th century on the ruins of a bastion destroyed by French pirates, this small castle was once a key stronghold in Spain’s Caribbean defence system. Its location, set deep within the bay, made it tough to defend against pirate raids and foreign attacks. However, the Castillo held strong during the major English assault of 1762. The fortress has since been home to the national archives, a library, and a variety of museums — a fitting purpose for a building that’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Before you leave, look up at the top of the “Tower of Hope,” where you’ll see a replica of Cuba’s oldest bronze statue, the Giraldilla. The original is carefully preserved inside one of the building’s rooms. A local icon, you may have already spotted its image on a Havana Club rum bottle.