Castillo de San Felipe de Lara, Spanish colonial fort at Rio Dulce entrance, Guatemala
Castillo de San Felipe de Lara is a Spanish colonial fortress at the entrance to Rio Dulce in the Izabal region of Guatemala. The structure includes nineteen cannons, a central tower, and heavy defensive walls that command views over Lake Izabal.
The Spanish Crown ordered construction in 1644 to protect trade ships from pirate raids. Over the centuries, the site was reinforced multiple times and served as both a prison and customs post.
The name honors King Philip IV of Spain, during whose reign the fortification was built. Visitors can still see the thick stone walls and gun emplacements that once protected merchant ships from attack.
The site is open daily from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon, with guided tours offered in Spanish and English. All areas are accessible, and the climb to the tower offers views over the lake and river.
The fortress fulfilled three roles at once: military defense, customs control for maritime trade, and prison for captured pirates. This triple function made it a central hub of Spanish colonial administration in the region.
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