Landmark· Portobelo· Other Caribbean
Portobelo Fortifications (UNESCO World Heritage)
9° 33.3′ N · 79° 39.3′ W
The ruined Spanish forts of San Felipe, Santiago de la Gloria and San Jerónimo, built from about 1597 to guard the treasure fleets, line Portobelo bay; together with Fort San Lorenzo at the Chagres they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Practical
Coordinate: the World Heritage site point 09°33'18"N 079°39'18"W (Wikipedia). Inscribed 1980; placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2012 because of poor maintenance and unchecked development. About ten fortifications were built on the hills behind Portobelo; the last works (San Fernando and Santiago groups) were completed in 1753. Sir Francis Drake died of dysentery in 1596 and was buried at sea in a lead coffin off Portobelo; Isla Drake at the harbour mouth commemorates him. Easy walks from the town and the north-shore anchorage; museum in town.
Best for
A morning ashore among cannons and ramparts
Nearby
- Casa Congo Restaurant & Dinghy Dock (Portobelo)0.1 NM away
- Festival of the Black Christ (Portobelo)0.1 NM away
- Portobelo Clearance (Port Captain & Immigration)0.1 NM away
- Portobelo Town Provisioning, Bakeries & Laundry0.1 NM away
- Portobelo Town Shops, Buses & ATM0.1 NM away
- Captain Jack's Bar & Grill (Portobelo)0.2 NM away
- Casa Vela Bar, Restaurant & Sail Loft (Portobelo)0.2 NM away
- Portobelo Anchorage & Forts0.8 NM away