Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Royal Forces) now stands where an old fortress once stood. The old fortress was erected because of the pirates and corsair’s raids that the town began to undergo in the 16th century.

The so called Fuerza Vieja (old fortress) was located three hundred paces to the northeast of the Real Fuerza, at the entrance of the Tacón Street.

Due to its decaying state, having endured three pirate raids, and scarce strategic value, the authorities of the island took stepsbuild new fortress.

It took until 1577 that the Real Fuerza was finished, thanks to the work of black slaves and Mexican money.