Castillo San Cristóbal
Old San Juan, San Juan
San Cristóbal complements El Morro by telling the landward side of San Juan’s defence story. Its vast fortification system, tunnels, walls and commanding city views give a different sense of scale from the better-known headland fortress, making it more than a mere add-on for travellers with time in Old San Juan. It ranks below El Morro because it is usually the second fort visitors name, not the first. Even so, it is essential to understanding how formidable the historic city once was. For travellers with an interest in engineering, urban history or layered defensive design, it can be every bit as rewarding.