El Morro and San Cristobal

The El Morro Lighthouse in San Juan has been restored since my last visit in 2004 and it rests at the top of the fort overlooking the coastline. Simply beautiful views from this location.

El Morro was one of 2 fortresses that protected the city of Old San Juan since the 16th century from attack by sea. Today it is part of the National Park Service and has been added as a World Heritage Site.

Tours throughout the fort are less than $5. Visitors can approach the lighthouse but the tower is closed to the public.

Castillo de San Cristobal sits on a limestone cliff 150 feet above the sea. There are five separate units spread over more than 27 acres. All units are connect by moats and tunnels, however, each unit was self-sufficient in case a portion of the fortress should fall to the enemy. The first fortifications started here in 1625. The original construction was a small redoubt with adjoining earth works and ramparts. Substantial additions and renovation began in 1765 and were completed by 1783. This made San Cristobal the second largest Spanish fortress in North America. Escabron is the site name for the outer line of defenses. A British attack in 1797 was repulsed at the Escabron line. The first shot of the Spanish-American War were fired here from two Spanish batteries in 1898.

Gun enplacement facing south to defend against a land based attack.The batteries were named Princesa and Teresa. During World war I US forces upgraded the Princes Battery and installed one 4.7 inch Armstrong gun. The gun was scrapped in 1919. During World War II US forces commissioned Fort Brooke, installed teo fire control towers and a 155mm gun battery on the site of the historic Princes Battery. North of San Cristobal sits El Morro, a spanish colonial fort sits on a limestone promontory that guards the narrow entrance of San Juan Bay. Constructed started in 1540, originaly the fort was a single round tower. Evidence of this original round tower can be viewed inside the lower levels of the current castle structure. Construction continued on and off until 1787. This fort was defended on numerous occasions from attacks by both Dutch and English. Looking southeast across San Cristobal's outer defences, modern San Juan is idenified by the high-rise building in the distance.
The U.S. National Park Service controls these forts, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. The views from the heights of the fortification of the Caribbean, San Juan Bay and Old San Juan are spectacular. On your tour of San Cristobal you will find a labyrinth of dungeons, barracks, vaults, lookouts, and ramps. Parking may be available on one of the nearby streets if you arrive early in the morning. The nearest parking lot is under the Quincentennial Plaza at the Ballajá barracks on Calle Norzagaray. One hour free tours are conducted by the Park Service. Check in at the visitors center to check on the next available tour. Your entrance ticket will permit you to visit El Morro on the same day.

El Morro and San Cristóbal are two Spanish forts in Old San Juan. Kids would probably find them enjoyable because they are filled with "secret" passageways and tunnels (especially San Cristóbal). My favorite was El Morro because I was able to look down and see a magnificent view of the ocean waves crashing against the fort. I think that you get a special deal if you buy tickets for both forts at once.