Cuba's 17th Century Fortress Against Pirates
San Pedro de la Roca’s Cannons Still Look out to Sea for Pirates
Dec 10, 2008
The Castle of San Pedro de la Roca, 10 km out of Santiago de Cuba, is a 17th century fortress high on a cliff top with fantastic views over the bay. Originally built to protect the city against pirate attacks it was also used as a prison before being restored back to a fortress in 1962.
Based on Italian and Renaissance design the complex is such a well-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.
Visiting San Pedro de la Roca
The fort is open daily from 7am to 7pm and costs USD4 plus USD1 for a camera. Displays include a museum of piracy, in Spanish so you may require a guide, and weapons from the period.
From Santiago the fortress road follows high cliffs overlooking the coast. The views on the way and from the fortress itself are impressive as is nearby Cayo Granma, a picturesque village and a good place to for a lunch stop.
Built between 1633 and 1639 the structure certainly looks the part with thick stone walls, a deep moat, massive drawbridge and cannons lined up ready to fire. Ironically, despite this show of might, in 1662 English pirate Christopher Myngs captured El Morro after discovering to his surprise it had been left unguarded.
Santiago de Cuba’s Pirate History
Enemies of Spain, especially France and England, coveted the wealth Spain obtained from its colonies in the Americas. Both Privateers, authorized by their governments, as well as pirates attacked and looted Spanish ships. Much of this activity took place in the Caribbean near Cuba and between 1538 and 1562 Santiago de Cuba was subject to numerous pirate attacks.
In this lawless world the distinction between privateer and pirate became very blurred. Attacks and robberies were also carried out on land in fact any place where there was wealth. After such attacks the pirates would flee to some uninhabited island, lie low and plan the next raid.
One of the most memorable was launched by Jacques de Sores in 1554, who attacked Santiago de Cuba with four ships while everyone slept. The pirates kidnapped prominent citizens and demanded gold as ransom. The townspeople realizing the precarious situation of the city moved further inland to Bayamo.
Famous Pirates & Privateers of the Caribbean
Tales of pirate adventurers, fabulous treasure and the exotic Caribbean are fascinating due to some extraordinary characters;
Henry Morgan, (1635 – 1688) a Welsh buccaneer, joined Christopher Myngs in attacking and plundering Santiago de Cuba in 1662. His activities made him extremely wealthy but his later sacking of Puerto Bello were particularly brutal including rape, torture, and murder. Despite this and his arrest back in England, in 1675 he was knighted by Charles II, King of England, and became Sir Henry Morgan.
Alejandro Selkirk, a Scottish buccaneer and adventurer was born in the 1680s. Bad tempered and aggressive he was abandoned on Juan Fernandez Island in 1704 after a dispute with his captain. His 4 years of isolation inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe.
Roc “El Brasiliano” (1630) was a Portuguese pirate infamous for his cruelty. Drunken and debauched, Brasiliano would threaten to shoot anyone who did not drink with him. He roasted two Spanish farmers alive on wooden spits after they refused to hand over their pigs and treated Spanish prisoners barbarously by cutting off their limbs.
Cuba Today
Cuba is one of the safest countries in Latin America with annoying hustlers rather than pirates being the main problem. To enjoy Cuba more refer to Tips on Avoiding Hustlers and Scams in Cuba .
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