San Andrés Castle

San Andrés Castle is a fortified structure on the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with a square layout and walls built to face the sea. The remains show the typical features of a Renaissance fortification, though parts of the structure have deteriorated over time.

Italian engineer Leonardo Torriani designed this fortification in the 16th century under orders from King Philip II to protect the coast from pirate attacks. It played a key role in 1797 when Spanish gunners damaged a British warship and helped the city repel an assault.

The fortification was part of Spain's coastal defense network and shows how communities protected their harbors from sea attacks. You can still see how the walls were positioned to watch the surrounding waters effectively.

The site sits in San Andrés village and is easy to spot from the coast, but sturdy shoes are recommended since pathways are uneven. The ruins are partly open to walk around, though some areas are unstable and should be approached with care.

The guns here struck Admiral Nelson's flagship HMS Theseus during a 1797 battle and caused significant damage to the vessel. This direct hit was a turning point for the city as it helped repel the assault from a major naval force.

Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife

GPS coordinates: 28.50500,-16.19083

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:02