El Morro is the fortress that guards the entrance to Havana Bay — a massive stone castle completed in 1630 after 40 years of construction and designed by Italian engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli. The fortress protected Havana from pirates, privateers, and enemy fleets for nearly 500 years until the British captured it by land attack in 1762 (after a 44-day siege that killed more British soldiers than any other colonial campaign of the 18th century).
The lighthouse on top of El Morro (added in 1845 and still operational) is one of the oldest in the Americas. The view from the ramparts across the harbour to Old Havana is iconic, and the fortress can be reached by a short tunnel drive or by crossing the harbour via ferry. The museums inside El Morro cover Cuba's maritime history and the fortress's military past.
Verified Facts
El Morro was completed in 1630 after 40 years of construction
It was designed by Italian engineer Giovanni Battista Antonelli
The British captured it in 1762 after a 44-day siege
The lighthouse was added in 1845
Get walking directions
Carretera de la Cabaña, Regla, Havana, Cuba
