Old San Juan - El Morro Fort

(Local Name: Fuerte San Felipe del Morro) The Fuerta San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) is the largest fort in the Caribbean. Designated a National Historic Site (1949), El Morro Fort , or Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, was constructed in 1539 but took almost 250 years to evolve to its current shape. Much construction took place between the 1760s and 1780s, when many of the present walls were added. Fuerte San Felipe del Morro is positioned 140ft/43m above sea level, and is surrounded by an 18ft/5.5m thick wall. A maze of ramps, outposts, barracks, dungeons, and tunnels; Fuerte San Felipe del Morro is dotted with small, circular sentry boxes called "garitas". These garitas are unique to Puerto Rican forts and have become a national symbol.