The Prince Fortress, Havana. Cuba

• Zapata y Avenida de los Presindentes (Calle G), Havana City. Cuba
• Daily
• Destination: Havana

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After the siege and occupation of Havana by the English, from 1762 to 1763, a careful consideration of the weak points that led to the Spanish defeat began. In order to protect the fortresses and the troops that should fight in case of an enemy landing, a new fortification was built on the Aróstegui Hill, named after its former owner Agustín Aróstegui y Loynaz. The structure of the Castillo del Príncipe, built by the German engineer Agustín Crame beginning in 1767, is that of an irregular pentagon with two bastions, big moats, mining galleries, etc. The name of El Príncipe (The Prince) was given to it to honor the son of the King Carlos III. When the jailhouse that had been near the castle of La Punta since 1839 closed down, its functions were taken up by El Príncipe. In the first half of the 20th century the fortress became a background for political demonstrations.

The Prince Fortress Map

The Prince Fortress is located in Havana

Capital of Cuba and the country's administrative, political, cultural and scientific center, it is also the capital of two provinces: City of Havana and Havana. Though only around 280 square miles (727 square kilometers) in size-0.65 percent of the archipelago's total area.

The Old Havana and system of forts led UNESCO to declare it a part of world heritage in 1982. Founded on its present site in 1519, the settlement of San Cristobal de La Habana prospered mainly due to its bay, which was a natural port of call for ships sailing to and from the New World. Starting in 1634, because of its strategic location, San Cristobal de La Habana was considered the key to the New World-as attested to by royal letters patent-and the main defense of the West Indies.

The Cuban capital consists of an immense number of buildings in a wide range of architectural styles, built in the course of nearly five centuries. These styles range from the pre-baroque to the baroque, neo-Gothic, neoclassical, eclectic, art noveau and art-deco, to the modern.

Alejo Carpentier, one of Cuba's most famous authors, called it "the city of columns" and focused attention on its streets, which he considered a perennially rich show of life, humanity and contrasts that was bound to entertain any observer.

Over 14 kilometers of excellent beaches lie to the east of the Cuban capital. To the south, a green belt contributes to a healthful atmosphere.