Castillo de San Severino

Matanzas


Northeast of Versalles lies this formidable bastion, built by the Spanish in 1735 as part of Cuba's defensive ring. It was tested early on by the British; during their 1762 invasion, they mercilessly bombarded it. Rebuilt in the 1770s, it became an offloading point for enslaved people. Later, Cuban patriots were imprisoned within the walls – and sometimes executed. San Severino remained a prison until the 1970s and in more recent times has become the modest slavery-themed Museo de la Ruta de los Esclavos.

The castle itself has great views of the Bahía de Matanzas, but could offer a lot more to inspire curious visitors.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Matanzas attractions

1. Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol

0.99 MILES

Dominating the scruffy Versalles neighborhood is this fine neoclassical church, which was refurbished inside and out in the mid-2010s. The interior is…

2. Teatro Sauto

1.26 MILES

The defining symbol of the city according to Mexican painter (and admirer) Diego Rivera, the Teatro Sauto (1863) on Plaza de la Vigía's south side is one…

3. Museo Palacio de Junco

1.26 MILES

This double-arched edifice on the Plaza de la Vigía showcases the full sweep of Matanzas' history from pirate incursions to the cruel reign of slavery…

4. Cuartel de Bomberos

1.29 MILES

This unique firefighting museum occupies a still-working fire station and is staffed by friendly volunteers who’ll show you around lovingly polished…

5. Plaza de la Vigía

1.29 MILES

The original Plaza de Armas still remains as Plaza de la Vigía (literally 'lookout place'), a reference to the threat from piracy and smuggling that…

6. Palacio de Justicia

1.3 MILES

This is one of several impressive constructions on the Plaza de la Vigía opposite the Teatro Sauto, first erected in 1826 and rebuilt between 1908 and…

7. Puente Calixto García

1.32 MILES

If you've only got time to see one bridge (there are 21 in total) in Cuba's celebrated 'city of bridges,' gravitate toward this impressive steel structure…

8. Che Mural

1.36 MILES

An eye-catching Che Mural – a copy in mosaic of Alberto Korda's famous 1960 photo – lies to the south of Puente Calixto García.

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