Cannon located on one of the sides of The Galera Fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Cañón ubicado en uno de los laterales del Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013
Me in one of the Vigilance Bastions of the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013
Yo en uno de los Baluartes de Vigilancia del Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013
Hello friends, I hope you are all well and in good health. From Venezuela I send you a cordial greeting. Yesterday I published the visit I made with my wife and children to the Valley of the Holy Spirit on the Island of Margarita where the image of the Patron Saint of the Venezuelan East, the Virgin of the Valley, in that publication I showed several photographs of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Valley and 19 days ago I published the related to Military architecture in Venezuela. where I mentioned several Castles, Forts and Fortresses of many parts of Venezuela. In that publication I mentioned the Santa Rosa fort de La Eminencia, popularly known as the Santa Rosa fort located in the City of La Asunción, and the castle de San Carlos de Borromeo, a military construction from the time of the viceroyalty of Nueva Esparta, located in the bay of Pampatar, on the same island of Margarita, Venezuela. In that post I did not mention Fortín de la Galera, located in Juangriego. I want to clarify that the same day I visited, together with my family, several historical places of that beautiful Caribbean island. Today I want to tell you a bit of history and at the same time show you some very interesting photographs of the Galera fort. Note: I had lost these photographs in my archives, for that reason I did not publish them in the aforementioned posts. I hope you can enjoy this ride and appreciate what the pictures show. Thank you for your reading and for the support you give to my publications. Greetings and blessings for you and for your loved ones.
Hola amigos, espero que todos estén bien y con buena salud. Desde Venezuela les envío un cordial saludo. Ayer publiqué la visita que hice junto a mi esposa e hijos al Valle del Espíritu Santo en la Isla de Margarita donde está la imagen de la Patrona del Oriente venezolano, la Virgen del Valle, en esa publicación mostré varias fotografías de la Basílica Menor de Nuestra Señora del Valle y hace 19 día publiqué lo relacionado a la Arquitectura militar en Venezuela. donde mencioné varios Castillos, Fortines y Fortalezas de muchas partes de Venezuela. En esa publicación mencioné El Fuerte de Santa Rosa de La Eminencia, conocido popularmente como el Castillo de Santa Rosa ubicado en la Ciudad de La Asunción, y al Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo, construcción militar de la época del virreinato de Nueva Esparta, ubicado en la bahía de Pampatar, en la misma Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. En ese post no mencioné al Fortín de la Galera, ubicado en Juangriego. Quiero aclarar que el mismo día visité, junto a mi familia, varios lugares históricos de esa hermosa Isla caribeña. Hoy quiero contarles un poco de historia y a la vez mostrarles algunas fotografías muy interesantes del Fortín de la Galera. Nota: estas fotografías las había perdido en mis archivos, por esa razón no las publiqué en los post antes mencionados. Espero puedan disfrutar de este paseo y apreciar lo que muestran las imágenes. Gracias por su lectura y por el apoyo que dan a mis publicaciones. Saludos y bendiciones para Ustedes y para sus seres amados.
My three sons in one of the Vigilance Bastions of the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Mis tres hijos en uno de los Baluartes de Vigilancia del Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013
The Galera fort / Fortín de la Galera
The Galera fort is located on the north coast of Isla Margarita, in the Bay of Juangriego, it was built in 1811. The fort is accessed by a stone staircase, and at the top there is a platform where you can they keep four canyons bordered with walls. This Fort was the scene of several bloody battles carried out in the framework of the Venezuelan War of Independence. From this fort you can see an extraordinary view, the sunsets are spectacular, beautiful.
El Fortín de la Galera está ubicado en la costa norte de la Isla Margarita, en la Bahía de Juangriego, fue construido en el año 1811. Se accede al Fortín por una escalinata de piedra, y en la su parte superior hay una plataforma donde se guardan cuatros cañones bordeados con muros. Este Fortín fue escenario de varias batallas sangrientas realizadas en el marcos de la Guerra de Independencia de Venezuela. Desde este Fortín se puede apreciar una vista extraordinaria, los atardeceres son espectaculares, hermosos.
Photographic memory / Memoria fotográfica.
Vigilance Bastions of the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013
Baluartes de Vigilancia del Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013
The Marble Tombstone says the following, I quote: "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Ministry of Popular Power for Defense. Remodeling, decoration and landscaping of the Galera fort. Work recovered by the Bolivarian Government of President Hugo Rafael Chávez Fría. Juangriego 08 August 2011." end of quote. Isla de Margarita, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Photograph property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
La Lápida de Mármol dice lo siguiente, cito: "República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa. Remodelación, ornato y paisajismo del Fortín de la Galera. Obra recuperada por el Gobierno Bolivariano del Presidente Hugo Rafael Chávez Fría. Juangriego 08 de agosto de 2011." Fin de la cita. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013
View of the Galera from the fort with the same name. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Vista a la Galera desde el Fortín homónimo. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
View to the Laguna de Los Mártires, the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Vista a la Laguna de Los Mártires, Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
View of the Bay of Juangriego. the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Vista a la Bahía de Juangriego. Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
View of the Bay of Juangriego. the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Vista a la Bahía de Juangriego. Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
My wife and in the background the Bay of Juangriego. The Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Mi esposa y al fondo la Bahía de Juangriego. Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
My oldest son enjoying the beautiful view of the sea, from the beautiful the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
Mi mi hijo mayor disfrutando de la bella vista del mar, desde el hermoso Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
At the top of the hill you can see the Galera fort. Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Photography property of the author @marcosmilano71 2013.
En lo alto de la colina pueden ver el Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
Terreno escabroso y en lo alto de la colina pueden ver el Fortín de la Galera. Isla de Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, República Bolivariana de Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor @marcosmilano71 2013.
Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo / Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo
Informative poster about the Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo. Photograph owned by the author. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Cartel Informativo sobre el Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
The Castle de San Carlos de Borromeo is located in the Bay of Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Its construction lasted approximately 20 years.
El Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo está ubicado en la Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Su construcción duró aproximadamente 20 años.
El diseño del castillo fue obra del ingeniero militar Don Juan Betín. Fue la construcción militar más avanzada e importante para la época en la isla, ya que defendía la zona estratégica de Pampatar contra piratas y corsarios. Su base posee una forma de estrella conformada por 4 baluartes en las esquinas y 4 cortinas centrales. Se accede a su interior por un puente levadizo. Es un castillo del tipo “regular”, lo que significa que sus baluartes y cortinas tienen igual o similar dimensión.
Cartel Informativo sobre el Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
My children on the drawbridge to enter the Castle de San Carlos de Borromeo. Pampatar Bay, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Photograph owned by the author @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Mis hijos sobre el puente levadizo para ingresar al Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Two of my children on the drawbridge to enter the Castle de San Carlos de Borromeo.
Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela and the other in the moat that surrounds the Castle.
Photograph owned by the author. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Dos de mis hijos sobre el puente levadizo para ingresar al Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo.
Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela y el otro en la fosa que rodea al Castillo.
Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Note the quality of the corner detail in the Walls and walls of the Castle de San Carlos de Borromeo. Pampatar Bay, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Photograph owned by the author. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Nótese la calidad del detalle de la esquina en las Paredes y muros del Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Note the walls and walls of the Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo. Pampatar Bay, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Photograph owned by the author. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Nótese las Paredes y muros del Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Note the walls and walls of the Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo. Pampatar Bay, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Photograph owned by the author. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Nótese las Paredes y muros del Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Note my wife posing and at the same time in danger at the Castle de San Carlos de Borromeo. Pampatar Bay, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Photograph owned by the author. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Nótese a mi esposa posando y a la vez corriendo peligro en el Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Parte interna del Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo. Bahía de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
Los Novios, mi amada esposa y yo disfrutando unas merecidas vacaciones por la hermosa Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Fotografía propiedad del autor. @marcosmilano71. 2013.
That seems like a lovely vacation. Time well spent with family. That fort seems interesting. Keep posting, have a lovely week:)
Hello @ sahiba-frog. Good morning from Venezuela. Thank you very much for your comment. You are right, investing in our family is the best investment. The ride is very nice. God bless you always.
Margarita Island is certainly a haven of tourist attractions that any adventurer would love to explore, and is an ideal vacation spot. It also holds historical treasures like the Galera Fort and the Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo. This geographical location was also a strategic guarding post and the perfect watchtower of soldiers against foreign invaders. Based on your photos, it appears like these ancient buildings and fortresses are well maintained and didn't show signs of decay. What is the most common type of stone material used for construction on that island?
I'm glad you had an enjoyable time with your beautiful family during your architectural explorations there! Cheers Marcos @marcosmilano71!
Hello friend Erne @storiesoferne Thank you for your comment. Yes effectively. Many of the historical records of the Isla de Margarita are preserved because it is an area of much tourism. You ask me, what is the most common type of stone material used for construction on that island? The answer is that the stones were taken from quarries located on the island itself and from nearby sites. Also a clay soil compound with elements of nature in a mortar composition. In addition, wood, bitter cane, adobe, brick and clay. The remodeling that has been done has taken a mixture of various materials, such as lime or cement, sand and water, which is used in construction to fix bricks and cover walls. Many of the Castles and Forts have been rebuilt several times because on many occasions they were destroyed by attacks by pirates and corsairs. Thank you for your comment and for your support. God bless you, take care and protect you always my friend.
@storiesoferne Friend Erne. Many of these constructions were made with natural elements of the place and nearby sites, the walls are made of stone, some of which have a high content of lime and clay. The use of rigid materials and large blocks of stone or clay were essential for defense, for that reason the walls are thick. The construction were adapted to the topography. Castles were generally located in elevated areas for a better viewing angle and attack response. Most of the Castles that can be seen in Margarita have a simple design: As I mentioned before, it was very important to use rigid materials such as stone, clay and mortar blocks (made by local workers with a mixture of lime). and song, sand and water and some with grass incorporated to give it fiber and resistance, Bahareque). The Walls were generally built with a slightly sloping angle for a better viewing angle and strategic attack. It always consisted of a central square, with an open meeting, from which the rest of the spaces were distributed. The shape of the building was polygonal, a large part in the shape of a star, which helped to form the bastions. The Castle of San Carlo de Borromeo presents a moat as a means of protection made to protect against attacks on land, it also has a single entrance, in this case a drawbridge and many fortresses have internal escape tunnels. I repeat, although the constructions were of a simple design, they had to be very strong because Margarita Island represented an important trade zone in the Caribbean Sea for Spanish interests in the colonial era.
Thank you so much Marcos for the comprehensive reply! It's a strategic advantage the island itself utilized its already-available abundant supply of local stones and building materials. This makes the construction of those defense forts and castles much faster and cheaper. More blessings and a great post my friend @marcosmilano71!