Castillo de San Felipe, Castle in Puerto de la Cruz, Spain.
Castillo de San Felipe is a fortress on Tenerife's northern coast with thick stone walls and a pentagonal structure overlooking the harbor. The layout includes battlements, bastions, and chambers that reveal how a coastal defense was organized and operated.
The fortress was built in 1641 to counter repeated pirate raids on this coast and served as a naval stronghold during the 1600s. Over time it lost military importance and was converted to different civilian uses.
The fortress reflects the military building style that Spain developed to protect its coastal trade and settlements. Today visitors see the architecture of that era, showing how fortifications were designed to defend against sea attacks.
The site sits about one kilometer from town center and is easy to reach. Pathways around the structure are accessible, and information boards explain different areas throughout your visit.
After its time as a military outpost, the building served as an infirmary, warehouse, shooting club, restaurant, and cultural venue. These transformations show how local communities adapted buildings to new purposes when their original role ended.
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