<<back to International>> | <<back to Map>>

El Morro Castle and Lighthouse

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

El Morro Castle: Construction began around 1550 to protect San Juan from attack by sea. However, in 1595 Sir Francis Drake attacked the fort and had a cannonball shot clean through his cabin for his troubles - he decided not to pursue the action further!

In 1843, the first lighthouse was built on the old fort.

On 1898, during the Spanish American War, the US navy bombarded the fort in an all-day engagement- but did little damage. The war ended later in the year. In 1908 the US Navy built the present lighthouse on the north wall of the castle.

El Morro Light remains a very active aid to navigation and is identified by three white light flashes every forty seconds. The light tower rises one hundred and eighty-one feet above sea level and can be seen from twenty- four miles at sea.

El Morro Castle is loved by all; and it is difficult to think of  Puerto Rico without remembering this magnificent place in beautiful Old San Juan.