La Real Fuersa. La Fuers Fortress and Maritime Museum

One of the characters is the fortress of La Real Fuerza (Castillo de La Real Fuerza). It is in the old part and is included in the list. World Heritage UNESCO. This is the oldest fortification facility not only in the country, but also in all Latin America. It was built to protect the capital port from pirates.

Currently, there are several defensive forts in Havana, but La Real-Fuersa is preserved better than everyone. It is located in the eastern part of the city and is striking tourists with its greatness and inaccessibility. Its durable walls are reminded of the difficult life of the Cuban population, its resistance and strength.

The citadel was laid in 1558 and today is a museum. The Spaniards used the coast of Havana as a transshipment base, so they tried to maximize this territory. Fort La Real Fuersh strengthened and rebuilt for 2 centuries.

History of construction of the fortress

The full name of the citadel sounds like Castillao de la Real Fuersa, which is translated as the "Castle of the Strong King". The first version of the fortress was erected for 19 years. At that time, she had a square shape with towers in the corners made of sandstone blocks, and was surrounded by a moat. The height of the wall reached 10 m, in width - 4 m, and over the entrance was a relief coat of arms, which is currently the oldest sculptural sculpture in the city. Construction work was carried out mainly prisoners and slaves.

Permanent pirate raids and uninterested guests from european countries They damaged the walls of the fortress in which not only Spaniards, but also the indigenous people were hidden. In the XVI century, the king of Philippe ordered to restore Fort La Real Fuers. During construction work, unique engineering solutions were applied, for example, there were special channels, providing permanent air circulation.

Over time appearance Fortress La Real-Fuers changed several times. The most significant event occurred in the XVII century, when a two-storey tower with a vane in the shape of a girl - La Giraldilla was erected over one of the bastions (La Giraldilla) over one of the bastions. She was the faithful spouse of Governor Hernando to Soto and, while her husband was in America, a woman for several years in the city. Subsequently, the figure was stolen and exported from the country, and later local artisans made it a copy that was installed in the same place.

Within a few centuries, such institutions were placed on the territory of La Real Fuersa as:

• National Archive - End XIX century;
• National Library - from 1938 to the beginning of the revolution;
• Museum of Contemporary Art - from 1977 to 1989;
• Museum of Cuban ceramics - from 1990 to 2009;
• The Maritime Museum - he was opened in 2010 and is still working.

Today you can see the vintage navigation devices and items found in the sunken ships. The collection of the museum covers the period from the Precucumbian era to the present. The model of the Santisima-Trinidad ship is considered the most valuable exhibit. It was the biggest ship in the XVIII century.

Today it has an interactive screen, acquainted visitors with a history of liner in several languages. More in the museum are models of other ships, layout of the fortress of La Real Fuers and various artifacts. The territory of the citadel is decorated with historical solubular guns and unusual sculptures created by modern Cuban masters.

What you need to know about the visit of Fort?

La Real Fuers Fortress works every day from 09:30 and until 18:30, on Sunday, visitors are allowed to 12:30. Cost input ticket is $ 1.5.

How to get?

From the center here you can walk through the streets of Ave de México Cristina or Avenue del Puerto / AV. Del. Also before the fortress you will reach the car on the Ave Carlos Manuel Céspedes road (AVENUE DEL PUERTO) / AV. Del Puerto / Desamparados / Malecón / Tune De La Habana. The distance is approximately 4 km.

When, after the opening of America, the Europeans became massively for the colonization of the new lands, the Spaniards seemed to be pulled out a happy ticket - they were among the other territories, the island of Cuba, with a mild climate, yield soil and comfortable harbors. There was only one nuisance - pirates that have long considered this land plot with their property. However, other European powers periodically made attempts to beat off the island from more successful neighbors. It is not surprising that on these coasts had to build defensive structures, which would restrain the pressure of the gentlemen of good luck and foreign fleets.

One of these fortresses is La Real Fuers, which was laid back in 1558 and was well preserved to the present day. Especially when taking into account the fact that two centuries the fortress was the main defensive structure from the sea. All this time, she was endlessly strengthened, rebuilt and upgraded, increasing defensive power.

The citadel was raised slaves and prisoners of war. About 19 years left for her creation, and the construction was not at all like an architectural masterpiece. But the square fortress had high durable walls, numerous braces, from which the fire was conducted, corner bastions, and for the inaccessibility, it was not enough that they did not make a deep moat, and did not equip the stairs. At all. The garrison used the rope. On the entrance solemnly installed the marble coat of arms of the city - they can admire today.

In the XVII century, La Real Fuersa received an unusual decoration - on one of the bastions, the two-story tower was completed, on the roof of which the fluger was located in the form of a female figure. It appeared here in honor of the wife of the Havansky Governor de Soto, which several years managed the city while her husband was in North America. Actually, it was the first and last case when a woman was ruled by the Cuban capital. Wheel and is now in its place, but now it is only a copy - the original was lost during the capture of Havana in the XVIII century the British. Then he, not otherwise, as a miracle, found, but from sin, destroyed in the city museum.

After the need for a defensive structure disappeared, the fortress adapted under peace needs. Here was a national archive, later - the library. In 1977, during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Fort, the Museum of Contemporary Art opened here (who had already moved from here).

And since 2010, in these premises is the maritime museum. There are copies of ships, from small boats up to 3-4 meter models made with amazing accuracy. Vintage cards, navigation devices, all kinds of tackle, and even real treasures raised from the seabed. Here visitors will get acquainted with the history of the royal shipyard of Havana - for three centuries, about 200 ships were built here for three centuries.

Address: La Habana, O "Reilly. Opening hours: from 09:30 to 17:00, from Tuesday to Sunday. Admission: 2 CUP.

The history of the creation of the fortress of La Fuers

Not far from the center of Havana is the oldest fortress of the city: La Fuersa. From Plaza de Armaas can be reached in a few minutes. The path along the San Pedro embankment (from the railway station) is longer. By the year of the foundation - 1558, it is considered the oldest of port fortifications in South and North America. The once Real Fuers has protected Havana from pirated raids. It has been perfectly preserved and now the expositions of the Maritime Museum are posted.
During the reasons of Havana, the inaccessibility and reliability of fortifications were important for any city. And the bay, such a convenient for the ships coming from Spain, it was necessary to secure from pirate vessels that Kisheli Karibu. It forced to strengthen protective structures, erect new towers. More than two hundred years of La Fuersa was rebuilt, justifying its full name "Castle of the Power of the King" or "Castillo De La Real Fuerza".
For the first nineteen years, the walls with the towers in the corners surrounded by deep moat were erected from local sandstone. The construction of the prisoners of French sailors and briefs brought from Africa was used. The fortress seemed impregnable - on the walls of 10 meters a height of 10 meters, it was possible to rise only on the rope stairs from the inside. The four-meter thickness was impossible to break the cannon nuclei. Even the ventilation holes were secure - they were given a cone-shaped shape, the narrow end went into the fortress, and wide in the direction of the sea. Such a design has improved air movement and did not allow to penetrate inside. Near the house of the Governor-Spaniard.
From those years above the input arch, the coat of arms carved from the marble slab. Later, at the beginning of the XVII century, the corner bastion was complemented by a two-storey small tower. The roof is installed vane - a female figure of bronze. She is called La Hiraldille and consider the symbol of the old Havana. Legend has been created about it - allegedly the model was the spouse of the governor de Soto - Ines (or Isabel) de Bobadilla. She had to replace her husband-governor for several years, who left the city. For all the existence of Havana, she was the only woman who managed her. In fact, the real La Hiraldilla has long moved to the museum. Capturing the fortress by the British, which happened in the XVIII century, deprived the city of his symbol. Found a figure much later and, not wanting to lose again, placed in the museum. And on the spiele was installed on an old-fashioned pattern. The image of a bronze heroine decorates the labels of the famous "Havana Club" - Cuban Roma with a century history.

The history of the creation of the Maritime Museum

When the defensive value of La Fuerza has lost importance, it was transferred to the National Archiev. He was there until 1899. In 1938 placed there National Library. After the revolution, the old structure was empty for several years. And on the four hundred years anniversary (at the end of the seventies) there are exposures of the Museum of Contemporary Art. From 1990 to 2010, the Ceramics Museum was located in the premises, after him they were transferred to the sea museum. It opened 5 halls - the central, the largest and in all bastions.
The exposition presents exhibits associated with the seafling history before the travel of Columbus, the history of the royal shipyard of Havana. During its existence, more than two hundred different ships came out, mainly for the military fleet. One of the most interesting exhibits consider a reduced copy of the "Nuestra Señora de La Santísima Trinidad", the vessel, in 1769 to the water lowered in the city harbor. At one time he was the largest of the warships. At a four-meter vessel, you can visit the hips and cabins. In addition to real navigation devices who served sailors for those years, visitors will see numerous items found at the bottom of the sea.
The models of vessels are presented, from tree dangled and associated with reeds of aboriginal boats, to sailboats and steamers of later eras. No less interesting collection of cold and firearms, military uniforms and awards. In two halls there are gold from pirate treasures and raised from the bottom of the sea. Photographing is allowed only in one room (with duzhuzhami). La Fuerza appeared in the World Heritage List in 1982.

Which is one of the most interesting military museums Havana.

I already wrote that I am not the tourist who buys batch tours and travels in the composition excursion groups. Usually I hire a local guide and it allows you to spend more time to inspence attractions and allows you to correct those places that you want to visit. This is definitely better than tweaking in the hands of a card or swearing because of GPS glitches, and it also completely eliminates the negative from the poor level of the cafe and helps to overcome the cultural barrier.

In all his travels since 2008, I always hire a guide and has never been disappointed. You can always find a Russian-speaking guide if you do not speak in foreign languages. Then the country is studying as it were from the inside.

General information about the museum.

• Name:Museo Castillo De La Real Fuerza.
• Address:

O "Reilly, La Habana, Cuba

• Opening hours:09.30-17.00.
• Ticket price:2 Cuban Pesos (about two US dollars).

It is not difficult to find this museum, but if you are without a guide, I recommend it there to go on a taxi.

Entrance to the Castillo De La Real Fuerza Museum.

La Real Fuersa is a fortress in the Eastern Harbor Havana, incorporated in 1577. Originally intended to protect against the attack of pirates. La Real Fuersa is the oldest stone fortress in America and is among the World Heritage Monuments as part of the old Havana.

All museums in Cuba under the supervision of the state, so everything is clean and everything looks no worse than such Museum-Museums of Portugal or Spain.

There are guns that defended Havana from various misfortunes. If you know the story, it was pirates and other states who wanted to attach Cuba to themselves.

In general, the Cuba is an amazing country on how the great buildings of Spanish architecture are combined with simple buildings of ordinary people. This contrast is visible in which the economic situation in Cuba can be seen.

The state of historical objects that are perfectly in the open sky. Although with such humidity I am surprised by such an ideal state of exhibits.

This is a statue that has become a symbol of Roma in Cuba and this can be seen on the Havana Club Roma label.

The statue of this woman decorates the La Real Fuerza fortress (royal power) fortress (Royal Pole) in the eastern part of the Havana, incorporated in 1577.

If you increase the photo, you can see the statue of this woman, which personifies loyalty.

It is believed that the statue is established in honor of Ines de Bobadilia), the first, and, similar to the only woman who was the governor of this island.

Ines came from a very rich and noble Spanish family who had relatives to the kings. Her father was the governor of Nicaragua.

In 1535, she marries the Konkistador of the Hernando de Soto known at the time. Interesting the fact that at the time of marriage, Ines was about thirty years. The very late age of marriage for a girl from a notable family, where women were mainly considered as a way of fastening relations between families. It must be said that Hernando, despite its feats in the new world, was not even for IEs, he took place from a noble, but poor family.

IN general History It ended sadly, and this woman now personifies loyalty to traditions and stood. The tradition of producing Roma is still kept in Cuba, since this is the subject of national pride.

In the museum is exhibited, in particular, a four-meter copy of the vessel "Santism Trinidad", big Ship 18th century.

This is not a mini-boat owner Chelsea ...

I read the signs from this ship and was surprised how many firms sponsored the creation of this layout. It is made of very valuable and rare wood species, which means it is made on the century.

In the museum, many artifacts that were raised with ocean depths. In Cuba, there is no Jacques Iva Kusto and really practically no special equipment, so that everyone raised risking life for the sake of history ...

But the typical plates that I resemble Maitolika. In principle, it is logical, since everything was bridged from Spain and amazed that it was so well preserved, although he spent one hundred years at the bottom of the ocean.

The whole hall is devoted to what was raised from the sea depths.

But the most interesting thing is that from the roof of the fortress the divine view of the Havana opens.

I'm on the roof of the fortress Castillo De La Real Fuerzaand it was very windy.

My conclusions after visiting the museum.

It is worth a visit for the overall development and understanding of the value of Cuba in the historical plan.

My reviews for other places in the world.

Thank you for your attention and successful beaches to you!

Havana is able to surprise inquisitive tourists by a variety of various attractions and architectural monuments. Among them, the fortress of the de la Real Fury, which remained to our time. The unique fortress of De La Real Fours in Havana is the most ancient defensive structure not only in Cuba, but also in all countries of Latin America.

History of the fortress

The idea of \u200b\u200bbuilding the fortress of the de la real-fierces appeared in 1540. Earlier here was the fortress of Fuers Wiedzha, which was captured and destroyed pirates. In this regard, an acute need arose in the construction of new defensive fortifications in this place. To solve this issue, it was found thoroughly and deliberately. For these purposes, in 1558, the architect was invited by world name - Bartolomeo Sanchez.
But, despite the fact that Havana acutely needed a "stone defender", the necessary defensive structure appeared only after many years. For more than ten years, the disputes of the city authorities were conducted on what the fortress should be. Hired a new engineer Francisco Carreno, under whose managers went much faster. The fortress was built by black slaves, the construction was invested significantly.
And in ten years local residents We saw the massive fortress of De La Real Fours. Since the construction, it has become the basis for the successful development of the city and the symbol of the defensive architecture of Havana. A strict architecture of the fortress has served as a model for the construction of military buildings of this type.

Modern view of the fortress

The fortress of De La Real Fours in Havana is surprised by numerous tourists with its power and rigor. Powerful ten-meter castle walls with a thickness of six meters. They were erected from limestone, which was mined in Cuba. Its sizes are impressive. No wonder the main task of the fortress is to protect the city from attacks from the sea.
When the fortress is erected, accurate symmetry was taken into account. This defensive structure is represented in the form of a square, which is divided by nine of the same parts and four bastions are installed in the corners. The ideal symmetry of the construction is taken from the Italian and French architecture of the XVI century.
Inside the fortress, the de la Real Furs are spacious basements in which the ammunition was stored. There were also huge caches, where the urban power was hidden wealth brought from Spain - huge reserves of jewels: gold, silver and other treasures.
A wide ditch was died around the fortress and filled with water. The road to the fortress led along two wooden bridges, which were attached on powerful chains. Watching the neighborhood was possible through narrow braces carved in the walls.

New life fortress

Nowadays the fortress of De La Real Fours is historical monument Architecture Havana, the oldest construction in Latin America. The de la real-fierces fortress vane has become a symbol of Havana, and the fortress itself is her decoration.
Nowadays, an art museum is located in the fortress, in which unique works of local artists are stored. It should be noted that the fortress of La Fuersh in Havana is a great place for walking with children. This is especially impressive by this place of boys of different ages. All of them, being in the fortress, represent themselves knights or pirates and dream of distant sea travel. At the time when children play, adults have an excellent opportunity from the height of this monument of Havana architecture, enjoy the beauty of the magnificent maritime expanses.