Because mankind is so bellicose, there are many fortifications around the world, seeking to protect a city or country from invasions. The classic castle is such a place, designed to afford protection for the residents and also the surrounding townspeople. But we have already explored castles (ETE #12) so in this post I will focus on forts, typically outposts designed to stop an enemy from penetrating to the heart of a society. Some are built to repel naval incursions while others are designed to be effective against ground forces.

     San Juan, Puerto Rico, must have had many enemies, since there are several forts around the city. The most prominent is El Morro.

El Morro

 Here is another view of El Morro.

El Morro

  El Morro is a Spanish fort and typical of the structures built by Spain in the New World. Another example is Castillo de San Marco, the fort of St Augustine, Florida, another Spanish colony.

Castillo de San Marco

 Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina, was the starting point for the Civil War.

Fort Sumter

The Citadel of Quebec City was a similar installation, although it was designed to repel ground invasions.

The Citadel, Quebec

 Louisbourg Fortress, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, has been turned into a “living museum” (ETE #23).

Kings Bastion, Louisbourg

In Luxembourg City, the Casemates remain from the World War II fortifications.

Casemates, Luxembourg City

 The Italian town of Spoleto has its Rocca.

Rocca, Spoleto

while San Marino has well-preserved outposts along its extensive walls. They are known as the Tre Castelli (Three Castles) 

One of the Tre Castelli, San Marino

Here is another.

Another of the Tre Castelli

In Spain, the Alhambra was essentially a fortress and palace all in one.

The Alhambra, Granada

England still preserves the remains of Roman forts along Hadrian’s Wall. We visited Housestead’s Fort.  

Housestead's Fort