The History of Fuerte de San Carlos in Melilla

In 1764, the Fuerte de San Carlos was built by the engineer Narciso Vázquez Nicuesa. In 1778, the fortification was transformed by Juan Caballero. It is located in the Ataque Seco area, midway between Cerro del Cubo and the old gardens, which are now part of the center of the Spanish city of Melilla.

The fortress is a square fort that stands out from the canvas of the Cuarto Recinto Fortificado toward Ataque Seco. It was constructed with local stone for the walls and solid brick for the arches and vaults. Originally, it was composed of a battery that could be accessed from a ramp, until the construction of housing over the structure.

Today, the Fuerte de San Carlos is part of the historical-artistic ensemble of Melilla and is a well of cultural interest. However, the construction of illegal housing over the site has caused it to be placed on the Lista roja de patrimonio en peligro, a list for heritage at risk.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata