Tag Archives: santo domingo defense

Forts, Fortalezas and Walls

Fuerte Invincible and San Diego

Fuerte Invincible and Fuerte San Diego, The Forts on Avenida del Puerto

Two of the many important forts along Rio Ozama were Fuerte Invincible and Fuerte San Diego. They were part of a chain of forts, with cannons at the ready, that defended the colonial city of Santo Domingo and its bustling port from enemy invasions.

All of these forts and walls were raised throughout the XVI century. It is interesting to note that these forts along the riverfront were not planned as one continuous fort. They were built as the need arose and money became available.

Fuerte Invincible | Fuerte San Diego | Puerta de San Diego | Bateria del Almirante | Puerta Atarazana | Lagoon El Tanque | Location

Two important forts of Colonial Santo Domingo were Fuerte Invincible and Fuerte San Diego. Seen from across Rio Ozama
Two important forts of Colonial Santo Domingo were Fuerte Invincible and Fuerte San Diego. Seen from across Rio Ozama

Fuerte Invincible

Fuerte Invincible is the first fort after Fortaleza Ozama. The fortress is also called San Alberto and Coca (San Alberto y De Coca). This fort was built on the cliffs behind the mansions of Nicolás de Ovando and the Dávila family. Not only was this fort was built for the added defense of the city of Santo Domingo but more importantly to protect the mansions of the richest inhabitants of the city.

In colonial times it is important to remember that there were no banks to hold cash and treasures. Each rich family had to protect their riches on their own. When pillagers and pirates attacked these cities they went directly for the houses of the rich and the churches were important wealth and artifacts were stored. This was the purpose of the high walled Fuerte Invincible.

The high walls of Fuerte Invincible with the Capilla de los Remedios sitting high above.
The high walls of Fuerte Invincible with the Capilla de los Remedios sitting high above.

This foreboding sturdy fort had openings for 12 cannons on both its lower and higher shooting platforms. Looking up at the tall walls one could only imagine how strong this fort really was.

The high walls of Fuerte Invincible
The high walls of Fuerte Invincible

Fuerte San Diego

Fuerte San Diego was the 3rd fort entering Rio Ozama. This curved fort was also a busy port of entry for the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. It was a very important part of protecting the walled city from attack from marauders entering the Rio Ozama from the Caribbean Sea.

The walls of the Bateria Fuerte San Diego
The walls of the Bateria Fuerte San Diego

The main part of the fort was destroyed in 1886 to extend the ports. The beautiful fort was reconstructed when the work on the Malecon was finished. The original base of Fort San Diego was discovered during archaeological excavations.

The curved Fuerte San Diego sandwiched between Ave. El Puerto
The curved Fuerte San Diego sandwiched between Av. El Puerto

All that stands now is a small part of the fort in the center of la Avenida del Puerto, a few remnants of the walls of the fort and the rebuilt Puerta San Diego.

The curved Fuerte San Diego with its cannons pointing out to Rio Ozama
The curved Fuerte San Diego with its cannons pointing out to Rio Ozama

Puerta de San Diego

In front of the beautiful Puerta de San Diego / Door of San Diego (dated 1549), also called Puerta de la Mar.

In front of the beautiful Puerta de San Diego also called Puerta de la Mar. The large stone pillared entrance above the door are 3 shields
In front of the beautiful Puerta de San Diego also called Puerta de la Mar. The large stone pillared entrance above the door are 3 shields

The large stone pillared entrance Puerta de San Diego was completely restored in 1978. Above the door are 3 shields known as escudos. The Shield of the King / El Escudo del Rey, Shield of Hispaniola / Escudo de la Isla La Española and the Shield of Santo Domingo / el Escudo de la Ciudad de Santo Domingo.

Inside the Puerta San Diego, Plaza España, looking down from the catwalks above.
Inside the Puerta San Diego, Plaza España, looking down from the catwalks above.

As you enter the large stone door you may want to walk on the catwalks over the door and check out the view. Turn right when entering the Puerta San Diego and you will see the stairs leading up to the look-out catwalks. This path over the gate will end in front of the Casa Reales and the Plaza of the Reloj de Sol / Sun Dial in the Plaza Reloj de Sol.

The wall of the fort Don Diego and Puerta Don Diego is the distance.
The wall of the fort Don Diego and Puerta Don Diego is the distance.

Bateria del Almirante

After the fort of San Diego, continuing along the wall, are the Bateria del Almirante. These batteries were built into and around the walled part of the house of the Admiral or Alcázar de Colón, located strategically on a hill.

The Puerta del San Diego 1910
The Puerta del San Diego 1910

Puerta Atarazana

The Puerta Atarazana was another important entrance to the city from the ports. This large doorway entered into the main shipyard of the city. The Alcazar Colon is where Admiral Columbus lived. From here he could keep an eye on all the goods and supplies as they entered and departed from the city. The catwalk above this gate gives another good view of the Rio Ozama and surrounding areas. It is interesting to note that all the buildings in this area were storage for all the goods that came into the port. Now, these buildings are nice restaurants, bars, museums and colonial homes.

The Puerta Atarazana and the Bateria del Almirante
The Puerta Atarazana and the Bateria del Almirante

This wall of defense connected Fuerte San Diego to the other forts along the Rio Ozama Fuerte Carina and Fuerte Angulo.

The Puerta Atarazana and the Alcazar Colón
The Puerta Atarazana and the Alcazar Colón

Lagoon Tanque

It is interesting to note that at the base of Fuerte Invincible and Fuerte Don Diego was a large lagoon that was fed by the waters of Rio Ozama. The lagoon was known as Laguna El Tanque / Lagoon The Tank. Some say it played an important part in the defensive belt for the Colonial City. After the Fuerte Ozama with its high walls lined with cannons was the narrow entrance to Rio Ozama and the tall cannon lined wall and firing platforms of Fort El Invincible with the lagoon at its base.

The Alcazar Colón and Fuerte de San Diego showing part of the Laguna El Tanque. Cannot find date of image guessing late 1800s
The Alcazar Colón and Fuerte de San Diego showing part of the Laguna El Tanque. Cannot find date of image guessing late 1800s

El Tanque ended up being a stagnant pool of polluted water. It was surrounded by a Boardwalk named El malecón del Ozama. Even though the city inhabitants protested, the nasty contaminated water from the city drained into this “The Tank”. Finally, because of the bad smells coming from the contaminated stagnant water, it was cleaned around 1912 and later filled in.

Location

A good starting point is at the Escaleras Calle el Conde / Stairs of Calle el Conde. The beautiful stairs, cut between the old walls of Fuerte Invincible, lead down to the outer walls of the city along Ave. Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deño, also known as the Malecon or Avenida El Puerta. Looking up you can see just how strong these walls were and how they did protect the homes of the wealthy.

The wooden walk along the outside wall of the Fuerte San Diego and the Bateria del Almirante
The wooden walk along the outside wall of the Fuerte San Diego and the Bateria del Almirante

Continue walking along the wall and you will come to a wooden bridge path, this is the beginning of Fuerte San Diego. The path ends at the Puerta San Diego. This door is beautiful with its shield and stone path. The door enters to Plaza España and the Alcazar Colón. If you continue walking on the outside of the wall it will lead to The Bateria del Almirante and the other entrance from the port Puerto Atarazana / Door of the Shipyards. The wall continues past the small police station to Fuerte Carina and Fuerte Angulo and around to Fuerte Santa Barbara.

Reference:
*https://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/ciudad/los-fuertes-en-la-avenida-del-puerto-EE3457969
*https://www.facebook.com/historiadominicanaengraficas/posts/historia-de-la-puerta-de-san-diego-en-la-zona-colonialla-puerta-de-san-diego-loc/527995694065585/
*Imágenes de Nuestra Historia, R.D

Forts, Fortalezas and Walls

Fuerte San Gil

Fuerte de San Gil/ Fort of San Gil

The Fuerte San Gil, one time named Fuerte del Matadero / Slaughterhouse Fort, is a 3-sided polygon fort. It was built between 1503 and 1510. This important fort was the first part of the defense of the walled city of Santo Domingo now called Zona Colonial or Ciudad Colonial.

Strategic Location | Fort Collapsed | The Wreck of the Memphis | Location

Fort San Gil as the sun rises.
Fort San Gil as the sun rises.

Strategic Location

This fortification was a very important bastion to protect the city from Pirate and marauder attacks. The watchtower was located on the far corner of the fort. It gave a perfect view of any ship coming from the Caribbean Sea trying to enter the ports of the city. The tower also gave a great view of the sand patch below. This beach is riddled with caves that are excellent places for hiding.

Fuerte San Gil and the beach and caves below
Fuerte San Gil and the beach and caves below

Fort Collapsed

In 1887 the original fort collapsed due to rough seas. The fort was recently renovated. The renovation closely replicates the original. The area has been cleaned up and again is a nice place to visit.

The circular inner wall of Fuerte San Gil
The circular inner wall of Fuerte San Gil

The fort was ignored for many years and was in disrepair. The beach below was piled high with garbage and was home to stray dogs and homeless people who made the coral caves below their home.

Fuerte San Gil the wall that faces the sea.
Fuerte San Gil the wall that faces the sea.

The Wreck of the Memphis

The USS Tennessee, also referred to as “Armored Cruiser No. 10”, and later renamed Memphis, was a United States Navy armored cruiser first launched on November 8, 1906 and wrecked on August 29, 1916.

The U.S.S. Memphis was anchored in the harbor near the rocky cliffs at Fuerte San Gil for most of that summer. The crew noticed the sea was turning rough even though there was no storm. The giant waved approached too fast for the crew to prepare to leave the harbor. The waves overtook the fighting ship and put out the fires in the 2 running boilers as she started to strike the rocky harbor bottom damaging her propellers. 3 giant waves, the largest was said to be at least 70 feet high (some accounts say 100 feet), battered the ship, rolled her and pushed her into the rocky coral cliffs.

The USS Memphis about 30 minutes after the ship first grounded on the coast of Santo Domingo.
The USS Memphis about 30 minutes after the ship first grounded on the coast of Santo Domingo.

Within 90 minutes the ship sunk. Memphis’s casualties numbered 43 men dead or missing and 204 badly injured. Slowly the entire ship was scrapped. Memphis’s ship’s bell was given to the people of Santo Domingo to thank them for their help in rescuing the ship’s crew. The bell is located in the Iglesia Las Mercedes.

Reference and Image. Read the full story of the ship wreck. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1918/july/wreck-u-s-s-memphis

*There is a grassy area beside the Fort San Gil. It is a nice place to sit and watch the sea.

*There used to be a restaurant located inside the fort. The barbecue pit can still be seen in the center of the old fort.

Fort San Gil in front of the Malecon
Fort San Gil in front of the Malecon

Location

The Southwest most part of Zona Colonial where the Zone meats up with Ciudad Nueva. The fort is on the Malecón (Avenida George Washington) at the intersection of Palo Hincado. The bright white Obelisco Hembra is in the front of the fort. Be careful when crossing the Malecon. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right or way.