Explore San Juan’s fortress that took 248 years to build
By Tom Adkinson
February 18, 2022

El Morror entrance. Image by Tom Adkinson

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – If you’ve ever been frustrated by a construction project’s slow progress, just be glad you weren’t waiting for completion of Castillo San Filipe del Morro (El Morro, for short) in San Juan. Spain began construction in 1539, and work continued until 1787. That’s 248 years of expansions, change orders and FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment, such as bigger and better cannon).

The gigantic six-level fortress facing the Atlantic Ocean was strategic as Spain built its empire in the New World and had the reputation for being unconquerable. Two English attacks failed, as did a Dutch attack. Modern naval artillery produced a different outcome when it came under American attack in the Spanish-American War. El Morro was a U.S. military installation in World War I and World War II and became a National Park Service property in 1961.

San Juan El Morro passageway. Image by Tom Adkinson

Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, says exploring El Morro is only the start of a visit to Puerto Rico. He’s quick to remind travelers that the island – flavored by Taino Indian, Spanish and African cultures – is a U.S. territory with beaches, mountains, a rainforest and memorable dining. It is a Caribbean destination with some distinct advantages for American visitors. Among them are no passport requirement, use of American currency and cellphone service as soon as your airplane lands.