Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Spanish colonial fort in Old Havana, Cuba
Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a limestone fort in Old Havana with solid stone walls and a distinctive cloverleaf-shaped moat surrounding its perimeter. The site contains exhibits of navigation tools and models of Spanish colonial-era vessels.
Built between 1558 and 1577, it replaced an earlier fortification destroyed by French privateers operating in Caribbean waters. It ranks among the oldest surviving military structures in the Western Hemisphere.
The statue atop the tower represents Isabel de Bobadilla, a woman connected to the fort's early history as a symbol of waiting and longing. Visitors today see this figure as a reminder of female presence during Cuba's colonial period.
The fort sits in the heart of Old Havana and is easily reached on foot from surrounding streets. Wear sturdy shoes since the stone pathways and stairs can be uneven throughout the complex.
A replica of the Giraldilla weathervane sits atop the tower, representing the skilled craftsmanship of the original bronze piece from the 1600s. This sculpture has become an iconic symbol recognized throughout Havana and Cuban culture.
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