Castillo del Príncipe (Havana)
| El Castillo del Principe | |
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| Coordinates | 23°07′52″N 82°23′10″W / 23.131°N 82.386°WCoordinates: 23°07′52″N 82°23′10″W / 23.131°N 82.386°W |
The Castillo del Príncipe (Castle of the Prince) is a military fort located in the Loma de Aróstegui, in Havana, Cuba. In 1982, the fort was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with other historic sites in Old Havana, because of the city's importance in the European conquest of the New World, its fortifications, and its unique architecture.[1]
History[]
The fort was built during the surge of military construction in Cuba, after the end of the Capture of Havana by the British that lasted almost a year, when the Spanish government realized that the city was unprotected and transformed the Key of the New World in the most fortified city in the Americas. The castle is named after Charles of Bourbon, Prince of Asturias, son and future successor of King Charles III of Spain. The construction was led by Colonel of engineers Don Silvestre Abarca who also built the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabaña overlooking Havana bay.
Count Ricla, Antonio Funes de Villapando, then Captain General of the Island, approved the project presented to him by the engineer Silvestre de Abarca of the second defensive system: the San Carlos de La Cabaña, Santo Domingo de Atarés and Prince Castle fortresses. . To build the latter, the Loma de Aróstegui was chosen, and the engineer Agustín Cramer Mañera was commissioned, with the designs of the engineer Abarca, to begin the works in 1767, not being completely finished until after 1779, by Brigadier Luis Huet, who modified the original plans. It was given the name of Castillo del Príncipe, by the then heir to the Royal Crown of Spain, Prince Don Carlos, who later reigned as Carlos IV. The fortification resembles an irregular pentagon with two bastions, two semi-bastions and a rediente. It has large pits, mine galleries, warehouses, offices, a well and accommodation for a garrison of about 900 men. Its artillery was equipped with 60 pieces of various calibers. The heavy iron and bronze gate that closed the intramural passage in El Templete was moved to this place. In addition, over the years it underwent several constructive changes and extensions. Work begin in 1767; by 1771 the location was fortified; work continued until 1779. The Castillo del Príncipe, which since 1926 was used as a Havana Prison, was officially deactivated on June 28, 1974.[2]
Structure[]
The castle has the shape of an irregular pentagon and has two bastions, two semi-bastions and a redan (V-shaped protrusion), further comprises deep trenches, mine galleries, warehouses, offices, a water cistern and a housing area large enough to accommodate a garrison of 1000 soldiers. Its defensive artillery had 60 cannons of various calibers. It also has a system of tunnels built with red bricks that allow communication with all the outposts and most remote positions of the castle.
The position of Castillo del Príncipe allowed a broad view of the city, to the remains of the old city wall, from Campus Martius.
The fort overlooked Avenue Carlos III (today officially called Avenue Salvador Allende), which led to the house of rest and recreation of the Captains General, called Quinta de los Molinos.
Prison[]
The fortification had various uses including as a prison that served from colonial times until the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. After the arrival of the revolutionary forces, the fort became the home of a unit of military ceremonies. The fort was primarily used by Castro's revolutionary armed forces to hold common and political prisoners. During 1961-1962 it housed surviving members of the Bay of Pigs Invasion who were ransomed on Christmas Day 1962.
Massacre of 1958[]
In the morning hours of August 1, 1958, political prisoners demonstrated against the drastic measures to restrict visits that were being applied by the prison management. Faced with this situation, police controllers machine-gunned the galleys where the prisoners were crowded. Vicente Ponce Carrasco, Roberto de la Rosa Valdés and Reinaldo Gutiérrez Otaño were shot, while others were wounded.[3]
Detainees[]
The fortress housed detainees and prisoners including the teacher of José Martí, Rafael María de Mendive, Julio Antonio Mella, Eduardo Chibás, Raúl Roa García, , El Caballero de Paris, and many other prominent revolutionaries.
Interest[]
In the Castillo del Príncipe in 1888, the Cuban Grand Master and World Chess Champion José Raúl Capablanca was born, the son of a Spanish army officer who lived in the Castillo del Príncipe..[3]
Gallery[]
El Castillo del Príncipe
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Old Havana and its Fortification System". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ "El Castillo del Príncipe". Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Castillo del Príncipe". Retrieved 2021-06-18.
Bibliography[]
The Bay of Pigs: The Leaders' Story of Brigade 2506 (9780393331202): Johnson, Haynes: Books
External links[]
Authority control: National libraries  |
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- Fortifications of Havana
- Spanish colonial fortifications in Cuba
- Buildings and structures completed in 1779