Fort of San Carlos of the Cabin

La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, colloquially known as La Cabaña, is an 18th-century fortress situated at the entrance of Havana Bay. This fortress, along with La Punta Fortress and the Castle of the Royal Force of Havana, served as the city's defense against any enemy or pirate attacks. It is located on a hill next to the Morro Castle and is the largest military building constructed by Spain in America, covering an area of 700 m long by 240 m wide.

La Cabaña as a Cultural and Museum Complex

Today, La Cabaña serves as a cultural and museum complex. It houses various exhibits and documents, including testimonies of Che Guevara. The fortress is also linked to various customs and traditions, such as the Cañonazo de las Nueve, a cannon shot fired at 9:00 p.m. to symbolize the closing of the city walls, a ritual that continues to this day.

The Cañonazo de las Nueve Ritual

One of the traditions that continue at La Cabaña is the firing of a cannon every night at 9 p.m. This ritual, known as the Cañonazo de las Nueve, is a symbolic homage to the past when the cannon shot announced the closing of the city walls. The ceremony is performed by soldiers dressed in 18th-century style outfits and is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to the fortress.