Magical tour

Hi friends of Pinmapple.

Today I bring you my impressions about the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress, thus closing a cycle of 3 views to places located to the east of Havana. In this case, it is another military installation from the colonial period of the country.

Upon arrival, I was impressed by the majesty of the fortress. The entrance was guarded by two large cannons and when I went through the main gate.

I found myself in a huge courtyard with an amazing view of the city. Wide interior spaces also abound, with perfectly outlined streets, parks and rooftops.

I started my guided tour and learned about the history and architecture of the fortress, among other things they explained to me that in the 18th century, Havana was a city of great strategic importance for the Spanish Empire, since it was the main port of entry and departure of goods and people to and from America. In addition, the city was constantly threatened by attacks by pirates and European enemies such as England and France, who sought to seize its wealth. That was the reason for King Carlos III of Spain to order its construction.

I also learned that the Cabaña Fortress stretches on a 60-meter-high hill on the eastern shore of the Havana port. It is shaped like an irregular pentagon and has stone walls more than 10 meters high, bastions, moats, drawbridges and numerous cannon batteries, forming a sophisticated defense system.

The walls, separated by the moats and interconnected by bridges. Inside these walls there are corridors that allow you to move from one point to another safely. La Cabaña was used as a prison and military barracks at different times in the history of Cuba. I also learned about the daily life of the soldiers who lived there and how they defended themselves against enemy attacks.

Also, I discovered several main facilities, among which the museum, the conference room and art galleries stand out.As I was walking through the different areas of the fort, I was able to see artists who were exhibiting their works in the art gallery. I was impressed by the quality of the paintings and sculptures and wished I could buy a small piece to take back as a souvenir. In the theater of the fortress, there was a live music show. The music was amazing and the atmosphere was very lively. I felt like I had stepped back in time and was experiencing the culture of Cuba at its peak.

The chapel of the fortress is a small Baroque-style structure, built in stone and brick, with a single nave and a red-tiled dome. Inside, you can find several altars and altarpieces made of carved and gilded wood, as well as a large amount of religious art.

During colonial times, the chapel played an important role in the religious life of soldiers and their families, who regularly attended mass in the chapel, and special religious ceremonies and processions were held on important occasions.

Today the chapel remains a place of worship and worship, and is open to the public for tourist visits. In addition to its historical and religious value, the chapel is also an important tourist attraction in Havana, as it offers a spectacular view of the port and the city from its location on top of the fortress. On the terrace I sat to contemplate the landscape and reflect on all that I had learned and experienced during my visit.

In the fortress you can enjoy food and drink tastings, as it has several restaurants and bars that offer typical food and drinks from the region, allowing visitors to try the local gastronomy. There you can also find souvenir shops, where visitors can buy souvenirs of their visit, such as handicrafts, books and clothing.

There is a very important annual literary event that is based in the fortress and it is the International Book Fair of Havana, in fact, it is the most important event of its kind in the entire country. Unfortunately I was not able to witness it, since on the date of my visit it had already taken place, since it is celebrated in the month of February. Writers, editors and book lovers from all over the world come together. I understand that this event always takes place in a festive atmosphere, turning the fortress into a colorful space full of life, with tents and book stalls, music and live shows.

I left for last two activities that impressed me by the way they are carried out. One is the flag-lowering ceremony and the other is the 9 pm cannon shot ceremony.

The flag-lowering ceremony is a military tradition that takes place every day at sunset, just before dark. This ceremony is a way to honor and show respect for the national flag and patriotic values.

The ceremony begins with a group of soldiers marching to the flagpole, while the Cuban national anthem plays.

Then, the Cuban flag is slowly lowered from its pole, while the music continues to play and the soldiers salute.

Once the flag has been lowered, it is carried in a procession to the interior of the fortress, where a proper folding and storage ritual is performed.

During this process, the soldiers sing and pay homage to the flag and national symbols. After the ceremony, a short speech is given to remember the importance and meaning of the national flag, and attendees are invited to reflect on the values ​​it represents.

This is an exciting and solemn event that attracts tourists and visitors from all over the world. It is a way to honor Cuban history and culture, and to show respect for national symbols and patriotic values.

Finally, the most anticipated event of the visit arrived, the execution of the cannon shot at 9 pm. The crowd was excited and expectant, and we all looked out over Havana Bay, where the cannon was located.

Like the flag-lowering ceremony, it began with the arrival of the soldiers who were in charge of firing the cannon.

The soldiers, wearing traditional uniforms, marched with a firm and martial step towards the canyon, while they were accompanied by military music.

Once in position, the soldier in charge of firing the cannon gave the order.

Suddenly, a thunderous sound filled the air, and a streak of light lit up the sky. It was the cannon shot, which had just been fired. The crowd cheered and whooped with excitement as the sound continued to ring in our ears.

I could feel the vibration of the explosion in my chest and was surprised by the power of the cannon. The tradition of the 9 pm cannon shot dates back to the 18th century, when it was used to signal the closing of the city gates and the start of curfew.

Today, the tradition is kept alive and the cannon shot is fired every day at 9 pm, as a way to honor the history of Havana and its traditions. It is an exciting and memorable time for visitors and locals alike, and a way to connect with the rich culture of Cuba.

After the sound of the cannon faded, a thick smoke from the combustion of the torches and the explosion itself remained in the air, as well as a strong smell of gunpowder that saturated my senses, mentally transporting me to the past.

After this the crowd began to disperse, but I stayed a little longer, looking out over the bay and reflecting on the history and culture of this incredible city. It was an experience I will never forget, and it left a lasting impression on me of the importance of honoring and preserving cultural traditions.

I think I was one of the last people to leave the facility, as the inner streets were empty and silent, lit only by the lamps on the walls.

The San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress was undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It left a lasting impression on me of the history and culture of this incredible city, and reminded me of the importance of knowing and appreciating the history and culture of the places we visit.

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Note: Some images, especially those taken at night, have quality problems due to poor lighting conditions. However, I decided to put them for their documentary value.

Photographer	@r4f4
	Follow me: https://vero.co/rferrod All photos are my property, and the references related to historical dates were taken from public sources such as Ecured and the Wikipedia.

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