Solano Castle

Solano castle is a colonial castle built in the eighteenth century by the Spanish monarchy in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Located inside the San Esteban National Park, the castle was built to protect the commercial complex of the city and the harbour from naval attacks. Constructed c. 1766 by order of Don José Solano y Bote, it is the only colonial fortification to be built between 1763 and 1771 and the last military construction built during the colonial era.

The castle has been the center of several notable events in Venezuelan history. Spanish commander Antonio Zuazola was hanged after a surprise attack by the forces of Rafael Urdaneta overthrew the realists, giving control of the fort to the patriots. Pedro Carujo was imprisoned in the fort after attempting to kill Simón Bolívar in 1828. In 1962, the castle was the stronghold of an uprising led by several commanders in the city. It was declared National monument in 1965.