Castell de Sant Carles

Castell de Sant Carles is a fortification that defends the Portopí bay, a first port since antiquity. To protect the port and the city of Palma, the castle was built so that the fire from its cannons could be crossed with those of the Cap del Moll tower. Construction was proposed in 1600, ordered in 1608, and completed in 1612. The funding for the construction was shared between the monarchy and the Col·legi de la Mercaderia.

Initially called the castle of Portopí, it was later dedicated to Sant Carles for unknown reasons. One of the towers of Portopí was bundled into the new construction, retaining its function as a lighthouse. From 1662 to 1663, the castle was expanded from its initial rectangular core, which is still preserved. During the Guerra de Successió o d'Ocupació, some defensive structures were added outside the castle near the sea. In the 19th century, the Dic de l'Oest was built next to the castle, completed in 1938.

In 1936, rebels against the Republic locked up political prisoners inside the Castell de Sant Carles and the castle of Bellver. In 1981, the castle became the seat of a museum of the army, with a collection mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries, and a section dedicated to the Mallorcan general Valerià Weyler i Nicolau. The museum houses a notable collection of spherical stone balls from the artillery companies of the Regne de Mallorca, coming from the Almudí, or Redreç, of Palma. The fort is in good condition and is illuminated at night, although it does not stand out for its low profile.

The museum includes a room dedicated to the Guerra del Francès (1808 - 1814), which features a late 19th-century reproduction of the Llotja de Palma and a model of the battle of Bailén. The collection is spread across 10 halls displaying weapons, munitions, dioramas, and paintings, alongside uniforms and decorations.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons