Puerto Plata was gradually repopulated in the 1700s and the fort, whose robust stone walls withstood the fires, was bestowed with its present name in honor of King Philip V of Spain (1683- 1746), whose reign saw the city’s rebirth.

Considered to be one of the most important colonial military structures in the Caribbean, the fort was used primarily for de- fense purposes until 1821 when it was turned into a courthouse and jail by the provincial authorities.

Built in simple Romanic architectural style, this 2,000 square meter citadel is the longest standing edifice along the North Coast. It also survived the 1842 earthquake that caused untold destruction to Puerto Plata.

The fort endured the razing of the city in 1863 by the Spanish forces that refused to return autonomy to Dominican insurgents seeking independence. During the Restoration War, the Spanish troops retreated to the San Felipe Fort, where they remained until the local forces prevailed in 1865.

Years after, the fort would fall into decay and neglect, until the first constitutional government of the late President Joaquin Balaguer, when the National Congress declared it a national