Torreón de San Lázaro, Fortified tower in Centro Habana, Havana, Cuba
San Lázaro Tower is a circular stone structure in Old Havana with a diameter of about 4.57 meters (15 feet) and stands approximately 9.14 meters (30 feet) tall. Its compact, cylindrical design allowed guards to observe the bay in all directions from a single position.
Engineer Marcos Lucio built the tower in 1665 to watch for approaching ships and alert the city to potential attacks. This structure was one of many military works that defended Havana during the colonial period.
The tower forms part of Old Havana's defense network, showing how Spanish colonists protected their city through a series of watchtowers. Visitors today can understand how these structures worked together to guard the coastline.
The tower sits by the water and is reached by walking paths along the coastal fortifications between the university area and other historic structures. The area is easy to explore on foot, but wear protection from the sun when spending time outside on the ramparts.
In an 1853 map of Havana the tower appears as the Torreón de Vijias, meaning lookouts. From here guards signalled with torches along a chain linking the Batería de la Reina, La Punta and the Santa Clara Battery, on the site of today's Hotel Nacional.
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