The Castillo de San José is a historic fortress and current art museum located in Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote, Spain. It serves as the home of the Museo internacional de Arte Contemporáneo and has been designated as a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1949.
Constructed between 1776 and 1779, the fort was built to provide a defensive bulwark against pirate attacks. It was also a public work project to provide much-needed employment during a period of famine and poverty caused by a long drought and a volcanic eruption between 1730 and 1736. Because of this purpose, it was colloquially known as the Fortaleza de Hambre.
Situated on a cliff above the Puerto de Naos, the D-shaped fort features walls that are semicircular towards the sea. On the landward side, the wall is protected by two small turrets, a moat, and a bridge in front of the entrance. The fortress is built of masonry and volcanic rock blocks, with interior buildings featuring barrel vaults that were primarily used as gunpowder magazines.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Mutabor
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