San José Castle, Military fort on Buena Vista Hill, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

San José Castle is a fortress begun in 1843 on Buena Vista Hill, at the south end of Guatemala City, and opened on 25 May 1846. It stood over 20 metres above the surrounding valley, with defensive walls, a drawbridge and a water-filled moat around its perimeter. Inside were a firing range, ammunition stores, stables, dining rooms and a pond known as the Soldier's Pond.

The fortress was founded in 1846 by Rafael Carrera, who hired architect José María Cervantes to complete it within three years as a response to regional conflicts. Its construction reflected the strategic needs of the nation during that period.

The fort's military name was the Santa Bárbara Artillery Brigade, and the image of the Virgin of Santa Bárbara was carried there from the old El Calvario church at the 1846 opening and kept in the fort while it was active. The name San José was already common among city residents by 1852.

The grounds consist of several areas that can be explored on foot, with paths and structures well maintained throughout. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the installation sits on a hill with some routes climbing upward.

During the Tragic Week of 1920, this fortress played a central role in an uprising that led to the overthrow of President Manuel Estrada Cabrera following intense fighting that damaged the structure. This event makes the location a key point in a turbulent period of Guatemalan history.