VISIT

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The Royal Castle of Saint Catharine which is conserved today, takes its name from its proximity to the hermitage of St Katharine of Alexandria. It was the principal castle in the old sistem of defences of Santa Cruz de La Palma, which originally comprised various bastions, maparts and gates to the city at the toads north and south.

Entrance to the castle is by the gate, which is surmounted by the coat of arms of the Catholic Kings, in the curvilinear façade situated on Calle Castillete. The present construction was raised after the disappearance of the firs castle, which stood farther north and closer to the Las Nieves ravine. The floor plan is quadrangular with diamond points and its forur corners.

The design, which copies that of the Castle of San Cristobal de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is due to Sergeant Mayr Juan Franco de Meidna and Captain Miguel Tiburcio Rosell Lugo, and the construction work extended from 1683-1692. The castle was acquired from the Army by several private individuals in 1950, and in 1951 it was declared a Historic Monument by the decree of 22 June.