Paso Alto Castle: A Historic Coastal Fortress in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Visitor Information
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Country: Spain
Civilization: Unclassified
Remains: Military
History
Paso Alto Castle stands along the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spain and was built by Spanish military forces in the early 17th century. Its construction began shortly after 1625 under the direction of Commander General Francisco de Andía, aiming to enhance the island’s coastal defenses amid growing concerns over naval threats. The castle’s location took advantage of natural conditions where winds and currents forced ships near shore, making it a vital stronghold for controlling maritime access.
In the 1640s, during the conflict with Portugal, the fortress was reinforced to meet the demands of ongoing warfare. In 1657, the castle faced a severe attack led by the English admiral Robert Blake, during which it sustained the greatest damage among the city’s fortifications. Plans to demolish Paso Alto in 1683 were interrupted by Captain General Félix Nieto de Silva, known as the Count of Guaro, who recognized its strategic importance.
Following significant damage from a violent storm in 1774, the castle was rebuilt in 1782, an event recorded in an inscription still preserved on the site. Just fifteen years later, it participated in defending Santa Cruz from the 1797 British assault commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson, helping resist the invasion.
Beyond its military functions, Paso Alto Castle also served as a prison through different periods. Notably, it held the local pirate Cabeza de Perro before his execution. Later, during the Spanish Civil War in the 20th century, the castle detained José Carlos Schwartz, the last republican mayor of Santa Cruz, prior to his execution.
In the late 19th century, concerns about a potential American invasion led to the construction of a nearby artillery battery, which was eventually removed in the 1960s to build a military sports club. Over time, ownership of the fortress passed from the military to civilian authorities, with official registry records dating back to 1900 and further administrative changes until 1957. Today, while still in state hands, the castle remains unused.
An important religious and cultural element associated with the castle is the Baroque painting of Cristo de Paso Alto, which once hung in its chapel. Remarkably, this artwork survived unharmed during the intense British bombardment in 1797, a circumstance considered miraculous by locals. This event inspired an annual pilgrimage tradition that diminished over time but has seen efforts at revival in recent years.
Remains
Paso Alto Castle is laid out in a semicircular plan covering approximately 1,428 square meters and built over two levels. The rear part of the building contains two stories with different functions assigned to each. The lower floor once housed a chapel, living quarters for troops, dungeons, storage rooms, and stables, indicating its role as both a military stronghold and place of confinement. On the upper level, the governor’s and officers’ accommodations were arranged alongside essential service areas such as the kitchen, pantry, and a guardroom.
Constructed primarily as a coastal defense installation, details about the materials used remain limited, but the presence of an 18th-century commemorative inscription confirms significant reconstruction took place after the 1774 storm damage. The chapel that stood within the lower floor is remembered for housing the Baroque painting known as the Cristo de Paso Alto. This artwork’s survival despite heavy cannon fire in the 1797 attack has been a source of local legend and reverence.
Over the centuries, the structure has experienced considerable decay, entering a state of ruin by the late 20th century. Changes to the immediate surroundings include the construction of a late 19th-century artillery battery built due to fears of an American invasion. However, this later addition was demolished during the 1960s to make way for the establishment of the Paso Alto Military Sports Club.
The castle’s historic significance is maintained through its registration in official property records, including the Property Registry of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the Cadastre, ensuring its recognition despite its current unused condition.
