After the Anglo-Dutch sack of the city in 1596, King Felipe II sent the engineer Cristóbal de Rojas to Cádiz to carry out a defense project. Rojas considered that the quickest and most effective way to protect the city was to design a fortification in the bay of Santa Catalina. So, in order to defend the most vulnerable maritime borders of the city of Cádiz, the fortress of Santa Catalina was built.
The Cádiz audio guided tour
The fortress of Santa Catalina is included in the Visit Cádiz audio guided tour. Check it out here: https://visitingcadiz.com/immerse-yourself-in-cadizs-rich-history-a-guided-audio-tour/
Or, just scan the QR code on the left with your mobile phone.
Search for guided tours and activities in Cádiz here: https://visitingcadiz.com/guided-tours-and-activities-in-cadiz/
The building represents an important example of modern military architecture and has survived to this day without any major changes or warfare damage. It has a star-shaped plan with two well defined fronts. One is formed by triangular bastions that rest on the beach and the other open towards the city where the only gate to the enclosure is located. This is protected by two bastions and a moat/ditch which used to regulate the level of water through various locks. Access is across a bridge to a simple door protected by an upper guardhouse. Here there is a plaque that commemorates the completion of the works during the reign of Felipe II.
Inside the fortress, the different pavilions are organized around a parade ground. The chapel of Santa Catalina was built in 1693.
The fortress has been transformed into a large multipurpose cultural and leisure space which includes temporary exhibition halls, educational workshops for students. Artistic, craft workshops and concerts are also organized in the Plaza de las Armas del Castillo along with outdoor activities during the summer.
Ask in the tourist office or your hotel for information about any upcoming events here.
Opening times
- Every day from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
Visit Cádiz
Planning on visiting Cádiz? Tourist information. Monuments. Hotels. Activities. City guides: https://visitingcadiz.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum! https://iberianatureforum.com/
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain.