Fuerte de Cobos, Military fortress in Campo Santo, Argentina
Fuerte de Cobos is an adobe military fortress with a square structure of about 100 meters per side, featuring defensive bastions at two opposite corners of the compound. A two-story central building with balconies overlooks the interior spaces.
The fortress was founded in 1690 by Lieutenant Governor Diego Diez Gomez to protect Salta from attacks originating in the Gran Chaco region. During the Argentine War of Independence, it came under the control of General Belgrano, who captured it before the Battle of Salta in 1813.
The fortress displays Spanish military architecture with two-story structures and balconies that still define the colonial defensive layout today. This building style was typical for outposts meant to protect Salta from attacks.
The fortress is located in a valley between rivers and is reachable via a road near National Route 9. Visitors should be aware it is a historic structure in rural countryside and should bring appropriate gear.
The fortress was not merely a defensive outpost but also an administrative center for the region, managing records and reports on frontier activities. This dual role made it an important information hub connecting Salta to remote outlying areas.
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