HAVANA'S FORT

      A Tradition Continues

Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana

In Havana, Cuba there is a nightly cannon ceremony at the old fort known as Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana. Many years ago the cannon designated the nightly closing of the city’s gates at 9:00 PM. If one was not inside the walls by then he stayed outside until morning when the gates opened again.

The massive fortress, built 1764-1774, occupies 10 hectares on a hill at the north side of the Havana's harbor. It is a huge complex. It was dark when we arrived and walking was a bit hazardous. After we found our way to a good viewing area I mentioned to our guide, “Next time you might mention to your people to bring a flashlight so they can more easily see where they are walking. Some of that ground is pretty uneven and there is very little light.”

She thanked me for the suggestion. Dah! This was a pro who led such excursions frequently!

The castle was always heavily armed and by the mid 19^th century one could count 120 bronze cannons and mortars and a compliment of 1300 men. However, the garrison was designed to hold 6000 men if needed. Perhaps its sheer size was a deterrent, as the fortress never had to defend itself.

Today one passes by 18th century clad sentries guarding the moat bridge. Ten minutes before the hour there is a cry announcing the procession of costumed military men as they march across the plaza carrying muskets and flaming torches. They march to the cannon where they load and ram rod it ready for firing at exactly 9 PM.

The flash was quick and the noise loud when the cannon went off. It is a popular ceremony with hundreds attending nightly. We carefully walked down the ladder/stairs to the plaza below and after a short walk stopped to listen to musicians playing in front of the barracks.

It was a fun evening and at an interesting age-old evening event. 

ANCIENT DWELLINGS

RING FORTS AND BEEHIVE HUTS

One advantage of traveling alone or in a small group is that you can detour off the beaten track, drive over narrow roads and  get to places tour buses cannot. There is no putting up with, “We’ll be here 10 minutes,” or “It’s time to go now.”

One day in Ireland we detoured off onto mountain roads. After traveling awhile on a narrow dirt road we came to Cahergal stone fort. This 1000 year old ring fort was in excellent condition. These forts are also referred to as fairy forts, and there are some 40,000 of them in Ireland. Most of them are overgrown, but 200 have been excavated and now are designated national monuments. Today it is illegal to destroy them.

People lived in the round stone walled forts and grazed cattle outside during the day. At night the cattle were brought inside. The forts were common in the 5-6^th centuries but go back as far as the Celts. Many people believed fairies lived in the forts.

On another day we were on a narrow two-lane paved road that passed right by some beehive huts. Of course we stopped to visit. The huts were made of stone in the shape of a beehive and also date back to the 5-6^th centuries. They were in remarkably good condition and amazingly large inside.

Sometimes life is amazing and it’s awesome to see and learn about such ancient things.