Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia, Cumaná
Facts and practical information
The Castle of San Antonio de la Eminencia is a fortification built in the 17th century near Cumaná, Venezuela, by the governor of the Province of Nueva Andalucía y Paria to protect the city from constant pirate raids.
The castle was built between 1659 and 1686 on the Pan de Azúcar hill, from where it dominates the city and at the same time you can see the gulf of Cariaco and the peninsula of Araya. It was the most important fortification that protected Cumaná, with a four-pointed star design, each of which points to a cardinal point. With walls two meters thick and a powerful artillery, it remained in service well into the 19th century. It is also connected to the city by tunnels and passages.
Like many Venezuelan castles it served as a prison, housing within its walls political figures such as José Antonio Páez and José Tadeo Monagas. In 1929 an earthquake seriously damaged the castle, but it has since been restored and in 1965 it was declared a National Historic Monument.
Cumaná
Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)
Nearby attractions include: Cumaná Cathedral, Santa María de la Cabeza castle, Centro Comercial Marina Plaza, Universidad de Oriente.
Sucre