Royal Fort of San Felipe

Royal Fort of San Felipe

Introduction

The Royal Fort of San Felipe (Fortaleza del Real Felipe) is known as the largest and most formidable fortress built by Spain in its American colonies. It features a typical mid-16th-century European castle architectural style and stands as one of the most complete and significant military defensive projects of Spanish royal architecture. Located on the coast of Callao, it guards the entire port of Callao, presenting an impregnable stronghold. Today, the fortress has been converted into the Peruvian Army Military Museum, with some facilities still serving as military barracks.

In 1746, a major earthquake and tsunami completely destroyed Callao, Peru’s first port in history. At that time, the Spanish colonists believed that a single wall was insufficient to withstand natural disasters or repel the rampant attacks of British pirates, necessitating the construction of a more robust defensive system.

The foundation stone of the fortress was laid on August 1, 1747. Legend has it that the then-Governor (Count of Superunda), José Antonio Manso de Velasco, personally wielded the shovel to dig the first spadeful of earth. When the fortress was completed, King Ferdinand was reigning in Spain, so it was initially named “Royal Fernando (Ferdinand) Fortress.” Later, in honor of the deceased King Philip V, it was renamed “Royal Fort of San Felipe,” a name that has endured to this day. In 1776, Governor Manuel Amat y Junyent presided over the inauguration ceremony of the fortress.

Lima, Peru