El Morro & Kites

Flying kites on the large green field next to El Morro is a popular family tradition here in Puerto Rico.  So, we packed a picnic lunch and flew a kite!  I loved the kids' expressions when they were able to fly the kite "all by myself." 

 

 

Brief History of El Morro:

Its full name is the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, but it is better known by El Morro.  Perched on the northwestern-most point of Old San Juan, this daunting citadel must have been an intimidating sight to enemy ships. In fact, in its long history, El Morro was never defeated by a naval attack. El Morro only fell once, in 1598, when the Earl of Cumberland took the fortress by land.  Today, people come here to relax, picnic, and fly kites; the sky is full of them on a clear day. 

El Morro is made up of six staggered levels, incorporating dungeons, barracks, passageways, and storerooms. Cannons still face the ocean, and you can step inside one of the domed garitas, or sentry boxes, which are themselves an iconic symbol of Puerto Rico. Looking out across the bay, you'll see another, smaller fortification called El Cañuelo.  This was El Morro’s partner in the island’s defense: ships hoping to attack Puerto Rico would be cut down in a barrage of crisscrossing cannon fire.