On this spot near the harbor was the oldest bastion fortress in the Americas. In 1558, engineer Bartolomé Sánchez was commissioned to replace it. Then called Fuerza Nueva (New Force), the limestone, star-shaped fortress was finished in 1577 and surrounded by a moat. The castle was the residence of governors, captain generals and their army. During the 20th century, Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Royal Force) was repurposed several times. Real Fuerza has housed the National Archive, National Library, Museum of Arms and National Museum of Cuban Ceramics. Since 2010, this historic landmark has been a fascinating maritime museum named Museo de Navegación. Inside are displays and artifacts telling stories of Cuba’s relationship with the sea going back before Columbus.
