CASTILLO DEL MORRO (SAN PEDRO DE LA ROCA)

The Castillo del Morro (also called Fortaleza de San Pedro de la Roca) is the city's oldest fortress, completed in 1643, and was originally intended to defend Santiago and its bay from the English, Dutch and French pirates who plundered the entire Caribbean. Extremely well restored and perched on a hill overlooking the entrance to the bay, this defensive complex built according to the plans of the architect Antonelli, already at the origin of the Castillo del Morro in Havana, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Once there, enjoy the superb panorama. Visit also the museum focused on piracy and the naval battle that opposed, in 1898, the Spanish and American navies. Note that Theodore Roosevelt, lieutenant colonel of the first regiment of cavalry volunteers and future president of the United States (1901-1909), took part in the assault on San Juan Hill.

Every day at 5:30 p.m., or 6:30 p.m. in summer, the cannon is fired to celebrate the surrender of Spain. Finally, it is possible to have a drink or a meal on the terrace of the bar-restaurant San Pedro del Mar, near the fort. Beautiful sunsets in perspective. When you leave the castle, don't hesitate to take the road that goes down on your left to follow the coast. When you reach the sea level, the small but fantastic Playa Estrella comes into view. A visit that will give satisfaction to the lovers of pirate stories!