Antonio De Arévalo's plans for the fortress began in 1639. Building was complete in 1789, creating the largest fort to guard Cartagena against pirates, who besieged the city five times between during the sixteeenth century.

The fortress is built of red brick and concrete, and designed so even if one part of the fortress fell to invaders (which never happened), the defenders could fire from another part.

The castillo today is open to visitors, who walk the ramparts and battlements and walk through the tunnels connecting various key parts of the fort.

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Photographs thanks to ArtToday.com