Castillo San Cristóbal

Castillo San Cristóbal is one of the two major Spanish fortresses in Old San Juan and is the largest fortress built by Spain in the Americas. Unlike Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which was designed to protect the city from sea attacks, San Cristóbal was constructed to guard against land invasions coming from the east.

Covering about 27 acres, the fort features tunnels, ramparts, and observation points that highlight the scale of Spain’s military presence in the Caribbean. Today, it is part of the San Juan National Historic Site, managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

Construction of Castillo San Cristóbal began in 1634, over a century after Old San Juan was founded, and continued into the late 18th century. The fort was built after an earlier attack by the British exposed the city’s vulnerability from the landward side.

At its peak, the fortress included multiple defensive layers, tunnels, barracks, and moats, making it nearly impenetrable. Its design followed European military engineering standards of the time, with bastions and outworks that allowed defenders to repel attackers effectively.

San Cristóbal played a key role in protecting San Juan from foreign powers and remained active for centuries. Parts of the fortress were later dismantled to allow the city to expand, but much of its original structure remains intact.

When visiting Castillo San Cristóbal, you can explore:

• Main Plaza: The central courtyard, once used for troop formations and daily activities.
• Tunnels: A network of underground passages designed for troop movement and surprise counterattacks.
• Observation Points: Elevated areas offering panoramic views of Old San Juan and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Garitas (Sentry Boxes): Small lookout posts, including the iconic “Garita del Diablo,” linked to local legend.
• Exhibits: Informational displays explaining the fort’s history and role in Puerto Rico’s defense.

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Entrance fee: $10 (kids under 14 enter free)