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2 History 3 External links 4 References |
General information
La Fortaleza was the first defensive fortification built for the city of San Juan, and the first of a series of military structures built to protect the city which included the El Morro Castle and the San Cristobal Fort.
Initially, the structure consisted of four walls which enclosed an interior patio and one circular tower known as the Homage Tower. From the top of the tower, the governor would take oaths of fidelity at critical moments to the Queen and the King of Spain (following military tradition). Later, a second tower named the Austral Tower was constructed.
History
Since the 16th century, La Fortaleza acted as the residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, making it the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas. On November 27, 1822 the tradition of executive mansion was officialized. The fortress underwent a massive reconstruction in 1846 to change its military appearance into a palatial exterior.
La Fortaleza has been taken twice by invaders:
Tradition says that in 1898 just before the United States took over Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War, the last Spanish governor of the island struck a grandfather clock with his sword in La Fortaleza; stopping the clock and marking the time at which Spain lost control over Puerto Rico.
On October 30, 1950 four Puerto Rican nationalists staged an attack at the entrance of La Fortaleza. Three of them were shot and killed by policemen.
La Fortaleza has hosted various dignitaries, including President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline Kennedy.
In 1983, La Fortaleza was decleared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. [1]
External links
References