Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

San Pedro de la Roca Castle

Location

Santiago de Cuba

Country

Cuba

Year of Research

1997

Culture

Profitable and political rivalries in the Caribbean region in the 17th century resulted in the creation of this huge series of defenses on a rocky promontory, built to protect the significant port of Santiago.
This complex of forts, magazines, bastions and batteries is the most complete, best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture, based on Italian and Renaissance design ethics.
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v), considering that the Castle of San Pedro de la Roca and its related defensive works are of outstanding value because they compose the largest and most comprehensive example of the principles of Renaissance military engineering adapted to the requirements of European colonial powers in the Caribbean.