In literature [ edit ]
In 2011, Puerto Rican author Giannina Braschi wrote the dramatic novel United States of Banana, featuring climactic scenes of revolution at La Fortaleza.
Original "Throne Room", currently Governor's Office, La Fortaleza in 1933. Photo by Jack E. Boucher. Historic American Buildings Survey.
¿Cómo acceder a Sa Fortalesa?
Malas noticias: ya que es imposible acceder a Sa Fortalesa sin permiso, pues se trata de un espacio privado extremamente vigilado y controlado. En caso de tener permiso, se puede llegar de tres maneras distintas: por tierra, mar y aire. Sa Fortalesa dispone, por tanto, de acceso por carretera -camino de Formentor-, un helipuerto y dos calas privadas en las que se puede amarrar. Además, la finca conecta con el aeródromo militar de Puerto de Pollensa.
Si quieres ver Sa Fortalesa, una excelente manera es con el paseo en barco que va de Puerto Pollensa a Formentor, que pasa muy cerca de la propiedad, y puedes ver excelentes vistas desde el mar. Por 16€ ida y vuelta, lo puedes combinar con un día de playa en Formentor.
The structure [ edit ]
La Fortaleza was the first defensive fortification built in the historic city of Old San Juan, originally known as Ciudad de Puerto Rico (rich port city), and the first of a series of military structures built to protect the city, which included the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Fort San Cristóbal. The construction was authorized by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as a defense against attacks from Island Caribs and the European powers of the time. Initially, the structure consisted of four walls enclosing an interior patio with a circular tower known as the Homage Tower. From the top of the tower, following military tradition, the governor would take fidelity oaths at critical moments to the King and Queen of Spain. Later, a second tower named the Austral Tower was constructed. During the 1640 reconstruction, a chapel named after Santa Catalina Alejandría originally standing outside the fortification’s walls was integrated into the structure's walls, resulting in the alternate name of Palacio de Santa Catalina (Saint Catherine's Palace). The complex currently consists of a few attached buildings with formal living quarters on the second floor and private quarters on the third. It overlooks the high city walls that front the bay, and within the north perimeter of the house are sheltered gardens and a swimming pool.
In 1834, Colonel George Dawson Flinter described the fortress of Santa Catalina as having a chapel, stables, cistern, and an east wing with spacious apartments. [8]
According to tradition, in 1898, just before the United States invaded Puerto Rico during the Spanish–American War, the last Spanish governor of the island, Ricardo De Ortega, struck a longcase clock in La Fortaleza with his sword, stopping the clock and marking the time at which Spain lost control over Puerto Rico.