Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas, Military fortress in Águilas, Spain.
Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas is a stone fortress on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, built with defensive walls, towers, and bastions to protect the coast. The complex spans multiple levels with watchtowers and gun positions arranged to control the sea approaches.
Construction of the fortress began in 1773 under orders from the Spanish Crown, replacing an earlier watchtower built in 1579 that was destroyed by earthquakes and attacks. The new fort was designed with more advanced fortification techniques to better defend the town against attacks from the sea.
The fortress embodies the defensive heritage of the Spanish Mediterranean coast and demonstrates how the city protected itself from pirates and enemy fleets. Visitors can still see how cannons were positioned to monitor approaching ships from the sea.
Access to the fortress is via a paved path leading uphill from the town center, walkable for most visitors. Wear comfortable shoes as the routes are steep, and bring water since there is little shade on site.
The walls contain inscriptions and marks carved by the craftsmen who worked on the fortress during construction, still visible today. These marks offer a personal glimpse into the work of laborers from the 18th century.
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