Castillo de San Diego de Alcalá, Colonial fortification in Delta Amacuro, Venezuela.
Castillo de San Diego de Alcalá sits atop El Padrastro hill in a location chosen to oversee the Orinoco River and surrounding lands. The fortification features multiple bastions and cannon positions arranged to defend approaches from water and land routes.
Spanish authorities built this military fortress between 1734 and 1747 to defend Santo Tomé de Guayana from raids by indigenous groups and maritime raiders. The construction was part of Spain's larger defensive strategy along the Orinoco.
The fortress displays features of Spanish military architecture, including cannon ports and defense structures from the colonial period. Its design reflects European defensive methods adapted to protect settlements from local threats.
Access to the fortress is arranged through the town of El Triunfo, where visitors can arrange for a guide. Planning the visit in advance is helpful since the location is remote and regular transportation options are limited.
The fort sits near two natural lagoons, Ceiba and Baratillo, which offer opportunities for fishing and exploration. These water bodies were also important for the original supply and defense of the fortress.
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