Capitanía General de San Fernando, monument in San Fernando, Spain
The Capitanía General de San Fernando is a massive building with simple, powerful forms built in the early 20th century and originally served as the headquarters of the regional naval authority. The structure displays characteristic features of military architecture from that era: thick walls, small windows, and a design that conveys stability and protection.
The building was constructed in 1917 and served for many decades as headquarters of the Spanish naval authority overseeing the Strait of Gibraltar waters. After a navy reorganization in 2004, the building was repurposed and has housed the Museo Naval de San Fernando since 2016.
The building stands on Calle Real in central San Fernando and reflects the city's important role in Spanish naval history. Today, through its architecture and museum function, the place shows how deeply connected this city has been to seafaring and maritime defense.
The building is located on central Calle Escaño and is easily accessible on foot, with the area well served by public transportation. Today it operates as a museum under the Ministry of Defense, where visitors can explore the exhibitions on foot and should allow time to move through the different sections at their own pace.
The building was redesigned in 1958 by Vicente Sánchez de Cerquero, a naval engineer, which gave it a modernized appearance matching other major constructions of that period. This renovation shaped its current look and shows how military architecture evolved during the 20th century.
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