Built by the Spaniards to protect against the pirates raiding gold-laden ships and ultimately used by the Spaniards to protect against the Peruvian Independence army; the Fort is located in Callao, an independent province of Lima. Callao is a port where mercenary ships come and go frequently.

One of the most interesting parts of the 5 point, 113 canon guarded fort, is the King's Tower, which holds a dungeon used to guard prisoners of war. Particularly for the Independence war they would hold prisoners in a tunnel that was standing room only. They would hold them there until death. Bread and water was served from one window in the middle of the tunnel, the food and water never reached the extremities of the line. Scalding water and lye were used to calm the stench of death and defecation. Bodies were passed overhead towards the one door. Bodies of prisoners were burned and the remains are now stored in a small box at the closed entrance to tunnel that goes from the fort out to the ocean.

One most unusual and unexpected incident was the discovery of a new stutue, that of a pirate. The guide showed us the "wax" figure. We thought it looked mighty real and when we got close he jumped out at us. Surprised us for sure! He mentioned how the pirates were the original threat to the Fort and how the Fort was designed as a maze of traps. He also wanted to make us all pirates with only the cost of two silver coins for his patch. He was insistent on pirate poses. Photos courtesy of Emily and Marissa