The Castle of San Andrés, or Torre de San Andrés, is situated in the village of San Andrés in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. This fortification was built to protect the island from pirate attacks, specifically guarding the beach of San Andrés and nearby ships.
In the 16th century, King Philip II sent the Italian military engineer Leonardo Torriani to fortify the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Most researchers agree that the castle was built in 1706, though some writings mention it as early as 1697. It was constructed adjacent to the mouth of the stream of the ravine of the Cercado de Andrés, where it is joined by the stream of the ravine of the orchards.
The castle played a significant role during the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797, when shots from the fortification destroyed the mast and riggings of the Theseus, the ship of Admiral Horacio Nelson. Over time, a heavy rain flooded the stream and collapsed part of the castle, leaving the other half standing today.
Recognized as a symbol of San Andrés and Anaga, the castle was declared Spanish Historical Heritage in 1949 and of Cultural Interest in the Canary Islands in 1999. As of 2021, the structure is on the Spanish Lista Roja because it is at risk of further deterioration.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Mutabor
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