La Fortaleza

La Fortaleza (English: The Fortress), also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine's Palace), has been the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico since the 16th century, making it the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the New World. Built between 1533 and 1540 by orders of Charles I of Spain, the structure was the first fortification constructed by the Spanish on San Juan Islet to defend San Juan Bay, the harbor of Old San Juan. La fortaleza, alongside El Morro, San Cristóbal, El Cañuelo, and other forts part of the Walls of Old San Juan, protected strategically and militarily important Puerto Rico, La Llave de las Indias (The Key to the Indies), from invasion by competing world powers and harassment by privateers and pirates during the Age of Sail. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983 as part of La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site.

Calle de la Fortaleza leading to the palace, often seen with a canopy of multicolored umbrellas or in the shape of the flag of Puerto Rico, La Monoestrellada
La Fortaleza
Palacio de Santa Catalina
Front and back view of La Fortaleza within the Walls of Old San Juan and above Paseo de la Princesa
Interactive
General information
TypeMedieval fortification, Castle, Palace, Mansion
Architectural styleFortification, Spanish Renaissance, Neoclassical
LocationOld San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Address63 Calle Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Coordinates18°27′51″N 66°7′9″W
Construction started1533
Completed1540
Known forBattle of San Juan (1595) Battle of San Juan (1598) Battle of San Juan (1625) Battle of San Juan (1797) Bombardment of San Juan (1898)
Website
www.fortaleza.pr.gov
UNESCO World Heritage Site
TypeCultural
Criteriavi
Designated1983 (7th session)
Part ofLa Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico
Reference no.266
RegionThe Americas
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Official nameLa Fortaleza
DesignatedOctober 9, 1960
Reference no.66000951
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Official nameLa Fortaleza
DesignatedOctober 15, 1966
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