San Carlos de Borromeo Fortress
| San Carlos de Borromeo Fortress | |
|---|---|
| Pampatar, Isla Margarita | |
 San Carlos de Borromeo Fortress | |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Public |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1622 |
| Built by | Juan Betín |
San Carlos de Borromeo Fortress is a military structure in the Bay of Pampatar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Its construction took about 20 years, started in 1622. Forty years later the castle was completely destroyed by pirates. Reconstruction began two years later, culminating in 1684. In subsequent years the castle was destroyed and rebuilt many times.[1]
The design of the castle was the work of the military engineer Don Juan Betín. It was the most advanced and important military construction at the time on the island, defending the strategic location of Pampatar against pirates and privateers. Its base is star-shaped and it is surrounded by a moat. Because of an error by the architect, the moat could never fill with water.[2]
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