Castillo de la Real Fuerza

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a military fortress inaugurated in the sixteenth century in order to defend the entrance of Havana Bay. It is considered a distinctive example of Spanish military architecture of the time, which worked as one of the organizational centers of defense against the British attack in 1762.

Throughout its history it has been used as a residence of the captains generals and governors of Cuba, as a deposit for the gold, silver and other valuable goods arriving in transit to Spain, as the Cuartel del Cuerpo de Voluntarios de La Habana, Archivo Nacional, Biblioteca Nacional, headquarters of the Comisión Nacional de Monumentos and Centro Nacional de Conservación, Restauración y Museología. Currentlyit is the Museum Castillo de la Real Fuerza showcasing an interesting exhibition of ancient weapons.

In its tower the Giraldilla stands as weathervane, sculpture cast in bronze that constitutes an icon of the city of Havana.