La Fortaleza

La Fortaleza
National Register of Historic Places
National Historical Park
National Historic Landmark
	La Fortaleza
location	San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Coordinates	18 ° 27 '51.2 " N , 66 ° 7' 9.2" W Coordinates: 18 ° 27 '51.2 " N , 66 ° 7' 9.2" W.
Built	1540
NRHP number	66000951
Data
The NRHP added	{{{Recorded}}}
Declared as an NHP	October 9, 1960
Declared as an NHL	October 15, 1966

La Fortaleza (the fortress) is the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico . Also known as the Palacio de Santa Catalina , it was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the port of San Juan . It is the oldest executive residence in the New World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

structure

La Fortaleza was the first defense structure in San Juan and was part of a series of military structures with Fort San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristóbal. The construction was authorized by Charles V as protection against the attacks of the European powers and the Caribs .

Originally it consisted of four walls that enclosed an inner patio with a round tower ( Homage Tower ). From the top of the tower, according to military tradition, the governor spoke oath of allegiance to the Queen and King of Spain. A second tower ( Austral Tower ) was built later .

During the reconstruction in 1640, the Chapel of Santa Catalina, which was originally outside the walls, was demolished and incorporated into the walls, giving it its alternative name.

Currently the complex consists of a few attached buildings with formal rooms on the second floor and private rooms on the third floor. It towers above the high city walls on the bay and there are protected gardens and a swimming pool in the northern perimeter of the house.

history

The building has served as the residence / official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico since the 16th century . On November 27, 1822, this tradition was officially confirmed. During a massive renovation in 1846, the military appearance was transformed into a palace facade. 170 governors have resided there and, among many other dignitaries, US President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline were guests here in 1961 .

The fortress was captured twice. In 1598, George Clifford , the third Duke of Cumberland , attacked San Juan. In 1625 the Dutch general Boudewijn Hendrick (Balduino Enrico) conquered the city and the fortress. When the Dutch withdrew, both were set on fire.

According to tradition, the last Spanish governor of Puerto Rico smashed a grandfather clock in La Fortaleza with his sword in 1898, shortly before the USA took over the island, so that the stopped clock marked the time when Spain lost control of Puerto Rico.

On October 30, 1950, four Puerto Rican nationalists staged an attack at the entrance to La Fortaleza. Three of them were shot dead by the police.

The fort was declared a National Historic Landmark on October 9, 1960 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966 . In 1983 the structure was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Puerto Rico together with the San Juan National Historic Site under the name La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site .