Old Havana, Sights

Castillo del Morro

Castillo del Morro

Castillo del Morro (Morro Castle), short for Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, standing at the mouth of Havana Bay, is an iconic landmark in Havana. It commands the best view of the city’s sunset over the tranquil sea, from the lighthouse built in 1844. The Morro, which it is more commonly referred to, was built between 1589 and 1630 as part of the city’s defense fortification system, together with the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta on the opposite side of the bay. The Morro also features 12 cannons, known as the Battery of the Twelve Apostles, all facing the sea. There’s another set of cannons near the ramparts. The castle contains several museums such as Museo del Morro, Museo de la Navegación and Museo de Piratas, each displaying artifacts and items related to the castle’s history, the city’s maritime history and pirate folklore.

Further to the east of the castle, lies the Fortaleza San Carlos de la Cabana, reputably the most complex and expensive defense system in the Americas.