San Felipe Castle: A Historic Coastal Fortress in Ferrol, Spain

Visitor Information

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Official Website: visitferrol.com

Country: Spain

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

San Felipe Castle stands in the municipality of Ferrol, Spain, and was constructed by the Spanish Crown during the second half of the 16th century. Its creation was initiated under King Philip II, who sought to strengthen the coastal defenses around the Ferrol estuary, a key naval port and shipbuilding center.

The initial construction phase took place between 1557 and 1589. The fortress formed part of a broader defensive network alongside the nearby castles of La Palma and San Martín. Together, these fortifications aimed to protect the naval facilities of Ferrol from frequent threats posed by English and French fleets amid the fierce maritime rivalries of the 16th century. Notably, in 1588, when the Spanish Armada was forced to seek shelter, several of its ships took refuge within the bay safeguarded by San Felipe and its companion forts.

Throughout the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the castle demonstrated its strategic importance by helping to repel attacks on Ferrol. English and French forces launched assaults in 1594 and again in 1639, but with the combined defensive firepower of San Felipe and the surrounding forts, these efforts were unsuccessful.

In 1800, during the Battle of Brión, the fortress again played a critical role against a major English offensive. Rear Admiral John Borlase Warren led a formidable fleet and a landing force exceeding 15,000 men in an attempt to seize Ferrol and demolish its shipyards. The castle’s strong defenses contributed decisively to thwarting this attack, a victory that drew praise even from Napoleon.

The early 19th century brought further conflict when French troops briefly occupied San Felipe in 1809 during the Peninsular War. Some decades later, the castle’s defenses were augmented by the addition of a sea-level battery facing the maritime approach, reflecting ongoing adaptations to evolving military needs.

During the Spanish Civil War, the castle was repurposed as a military prison. Its moats, once defensive ditches, served as places where political prisoners were confined, tried, and tragically executed. This grim chapter marks a significant departure from its earlier roles focused on external defense.

After its active military use declined by the late 20th century, ownership of San Felipe Castle passed to the Ferrol city council in 2000. Recognized for its historical significance, the site has been protected under Spanish heritage legislation and declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, a status that highlights its cultural importance.

Remains

San Felipe Castle presents a well-defined layout shaped by the military engineering principles of Vauban, a celebrated 17th-century French fortification designer. Its plan assumes a precise geometric form resembling an arrowhead, with the pointed end directed toward the sea channel of the Ferrol estuary. This design maximizes the castle’s defensive coverage of the maritime approaches.

Central to the fortress is a sizable hornwork—a type of advanced, projecting fortification—positioned on the landward side. This hornwork was constructed between 1731 and 1755 under the supervision of engineer Francisco Montaigú and serves as a formidable outwork to delay attackers approaching from inland. Surrounding this feature is a system of enclosures arranged in a fan-like pattern, which gradually narrow toward the hornwork.

The castle’s artillery defenses are arranged along the estuary-facing front in two tiers, comprising approximately 100 cannon embrasures, or openings through which cannons could fire. These batteries, capable of mounting over seventy artillery pieces, were strategically placed to command the waterway and prevent enemy ships’ advance. A heavy chain was historically stretched across the estuary between San Felipe and the opposing fortress of La Palma, acting as a physical barrier to block hostile vessels.

Construction relied on finely cut ashlar stone masonry, notable for its precision and durability. The fortress features austere yet carefully designed portals attributed to the engineer La Ferrière, adding functional elegance to the entrances. In the 18th century, Montaigú also implemented a defensive ditch or moat around the fortress and redesigned the main gate to improve security and access control.

In later periods, the castle’s moats transitioned from defensive functions to darker uses during the Spanish Civil War, serving as sites for executions of political detainees. These moats, now preserved in situ, bear witness to the complex history embedded in the fortress walls.

Today, much of the castle’s main structure remains intact, showcasing the layers of military architecture reflecting centuries of adaptation and use. The combination of its geometric layout, robust stonework, and defensive features continues to illustrate the strategic thinking that framed its construction and operation.