LA FORTALEZA - PALACIO DE SANTA CATALINA

It is the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico. Built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the port of San Juan, the Fortaleza was simply the first defensive structure built. The Spanish king of the time, Charles V, approved its construction in order to protect the island from assaults by other European nations, but also by the natives. Hence the name of the fortress that has remained. It was not until 1846 that the complex lost some of its military character, with the appearance of the current façade. Legend has it that in 1898, the last Spanish governor, Ricardo de Ortega, blocked a clock with his sword to indicate the exact time when the United States took definitive control of Puerto Rico. More recently, on October 30, 1950, nationalists attempted to seize the palace, three of whom were shot. The site is also known as the Palace of Santa Catalina. The church inside was named after this saint. Today, the palace consists of a succession of walls. On the second floor there are public rooms and on the third floor there are private apartments. Two towers dominate the courtyard. The first one dates back to the first hours of the construction. Later, the Southern Tower was added to enhance the site's observation capabilities. More than 170 governors of Puerto Rico have resided in La Fortaleza since 1540. La Fortaleza was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.