has been the sole witness to Puerto Plata’s past and present from the time of its construction nearly 500 years ago. Since then, the fort has gone on to withstand major disasters, both natural and man-made, outliving many generations and standing staunchly in the same spot of its construction.

Fort San Felipe dates back to Carlos I of Spain, who ordered it built in 1541. It wasn’t until 1577, however, that the sturdy structure was completed to defend the northern coast against English, Dutch and French pirates and marauders at the foot of Puerto Plata Bay.

Interestingly, history credits the construction of the fort to the ef- forts of two wealthy Puerto Plata smugglers. Francisco Ceballos and Captain Rengifo y Angulo argued that the fort would serve the common good, but were covertly looking out for their own pockets when they pushed ahead with the project and oversaw its operation.

In 1605, in an effort to put a stop to contraband trade on that side of the island, Spain ordered their Governor Antonio Osorio to forcefully remove all Spaniards on the island to a line south and east of the current city of San Juan de la Maguana. The strategy included the sacking and burning of entire cities, including Puerto Plata, and represents a period known as “The Devastations.”