The Fortres of Herradura

Today the bay of Herradura is a quiet place, but in the eighteenth century the area was the scene of raids and landings of pirates and privateers. So in 1764 Carlos III ordered the construction of a defensive castle-fortress that communicated with the watchtowers of Cerro Gordo and the Punta de la Mona.

It was used by the army until 1839 when, after the termination of piracy, it was ceded to the Carabineros, whose mission was to ensure the safety and security of the coast and borders and prevent smuggling. After the Carabineros it was abolished. In 1940, it was occupied by the Civil Guard, who used the home-barracks until 2003. It was acquired by the city two years later and commissioned its restoration to the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). It also houses temporary exhibitions