Africah exploring Castillo de San Cristóbal.

The canon balls that were once used to protect the fort.

The soldier’s sleeping quarters

The day was warm and the sun beamed high in the sky. The weather was perfect for engaging in an outdoor activity but at that particular moment I wasn’t sure how and where I would spend my day. While waiting in line to order breakfast in a tiny cafe, I had a lively conversation with some locals and they suggested that I explore the Castillo de San Cristóbal Fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

When I arrived to Castillo de San Cristóbal, I was surprised of how accessible it was from the street. However, I later learned that unlike The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts and or the Castillo San Felipe del Morro: San, Juan, Puerto Rico, The Castillo De San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida, The Castillo de San Cristóbal was designed to protect against land attacks by the enemy; while the others guarded against invasions by sea.

As I walked up the steep entrance of Calle Norzagaray, the walls of the fort stood tall and strong on both sides while blocking the sunlight from entering the walkway. When I came inside, I was greeted by a friendly employee in the air conditioned lobby who gave me a map of the fort. Although, there were tour guides who gave tours every hour, I opted to go on a self-guided tour of the fortification instead.

I took my time and explored all 27 acres which included three levels of Castillo de San Cristóbal. There were views from Sentry Box, the WWII Artillery Observation Post and then I went down into the Defensive Tunnel. This eventually led me to the tunnel that led to the Dungeon and Outworks. The Dungeon was dark, moist, cold, and had engraved writings on the wall that was left behind by prisoners. Considering that there wasn’t a bed to sleep on or a toilet to use, the dungeon was not a very good place to be.

My tour continued to the view from the Main Artillery Ramp to the Firing Battery. I walked through the Middle Tunnel Artillery Room and eventually I arrived at the Main Plaza. There was the Guard House, Officer Quarters and Troop Quarters. I also saw flags from the United States, Puerto Rico and the Burgundy Cross that hung high and swayed in the wind. Most of the rooms on the Main Plaza were decorated with an attempt to resemble the decor of the period of the 1600-1800s. However, for some of the rooms I had to use my imagination because they were bare and spacious.

Eventually, I visited the 3rd level Observation Deck and the Mortar Shells and Bombs area as well. There were beautiful panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Town of Old San Juan to Condado on the other. It was spectacular to see and it was a great spot to relax and take a break.

Castillo de San Cristóbal was strategically built on Puerto Rico by Spain because of its geographical location on the western hemisphere. As one of Spain’s West Indian Dominions, this fort was considered to be a key military outpost. It was built in the 1690’s and was completed a hundred years later. In the 1800’s, renovations were made to help maintain the fort.

Overall, my time spent navigating through Castillo de San Cristóbal was fun and educational. Since exploring the fort is mainly an outdoor activity, be sure to wear sunglasses, sun block and comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. Bring a bottle of water and stay hydrated.

At the end of my trip, I must admit that the Castillo de San Cristóbal Fort was a historical treat!

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