Castillo del Príncipe (Castle of the Prince), Havana

The Castle of the Prince (Castillo del Príncipe), situated on the Loma de Aróstegui in Havana, stands as a significant historical military fort. This fortress, acknowledged by UNESCO in 1982 as part of Old Havana's historic sites, holds importance for its role in the European conquest of the New World, its contribution to Havana's defenses, and its distinctive architecture. Its construction was prompted by the vulnerability exposed after Havana was seized by the English in the 18th century, leading the Spanish government to fortify the city extensively.

Named in honor of Charles of Bourbon, the Prince of Asturias, and future King Charles III of Spain, Colonel Silvestre Abarca y Aznar oversaw its construction, starting in 1767 and completing in 1779. Initially conceived as part of a larger military installation, its purpose evolved.

The fort's design features an irregular pentagon shape with bastions, semi-bastions, a redan, trenches, mine galleries, and accommodations for a garrison of 1000 soldiers. Its defenses included 60 cannons and a network of tunnels for communication.

The Castle of the Prince had various functions throughout history, notably serving as a prison from colonial times until the Cuban Revolution. It housed both common criminals and political detainees, including prominent individuals like Rafael María de Mendive, a teacher of José Martí, and revolutionaries such as Julio Antonio Mella and Eduardo Chibás.

Following the revolution, the fort transitioned from a prison to a venue for military ceremonies, reflecting Cuba's evolving political landscape. Notably, during 1961-1962, it housed survivors of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, who were later released on Christmas Day 1962. The fort's history encompasses its military importance and its role in Cuba's broader socio-political narrative.