# Real Felipe Fortress

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You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish. (February 2013) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Spanish article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must follow the LLM translation guideline, revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Spanish Wikipedia article at [[:es:Fortaleza del Real Felipe]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|es|Fortaleza del Real Felipe}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

Historic site in Callao Bay, Peru

Real Felipe Fortress National Monument Frontal view of the Real Felipe Fortress Interactive map of Real Felipe Fortress National Monument 12°3′46″S 77°8′57″W / 12.06278°S 77.14917°W / -12.06278; -77.14917 Location Callao Bay, Peru History Built 1747–1774 and 1776–1811 Site notes Area 70,000 m² Governing body Peru's Army

The **Real Felipe Fortress** is a [fortress](/source/Fortress) located within the [Monumental Zone](/source/Historic_Centre_of_Callao) of [Callao](/source/Callao), Peru. It was built to defend the main port of the country, as well as the city of [Lima](/source/Lima) from pirates and corsairs during [colonial times](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru). The fortress was subject to a [two-year siege](/source/Second_siege_of_Callao) that ended Spain's presence in both Peru and South America. It is currently the Peruvian Army Museum, displaying historical uniforms, weapons and other military paraphernalia.

## History

### Background

During the [Viceroyalty of Peru](/source/Viceroyalty_of_Peru), [Callao](/source/Callao) was the main port of the Americas, it connected the colonies with Spain. Due to the lack of adequate defenses, several pirate incursions took place.[1] In an attempt to protect the port, the [viceroy](/source/Viceroy) [Pedro Álvarez de Toledo y Leiva](/source/Pedro_%C3%81lvarez_de_Toledo_y_Leiva) decreed the construction of the [Walls of Lima](/source/Walls_of_Lima) between the years 1640 and 1647 to protect the city.[2] However, the [1746 Lima–Callao earthquake](/source/1746_Lima%E2%80%93Callao_earthquake), destroyed most of the fortifications. [Viceroy](/source/Viceroy) [José Antonio Manso de Velasco](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Antonio_Manso_de_Velasco), ordered the construction of the fortress to bolster the defense of the port.[3]

### Construction

In 1746, the design proposal of French architect [Louis Godin](/source/Louis_Godin) was selected as the design of the fortress.[4] Construction of the fortress began on 21 January 1747 and the first stone was erected 1 August of the same year. This was considered one of the most important constructions made by Spain in the [New World](/source/New_World), costing about three million [pesetas](/source/Spanish_peseta). Most of the stone came from [San Lorenzo Island](/source/San_Lorenzo_Island%2C_Peru) and from the ruins caused by the earthquake. The name of the fortress was chosen to honor the Spanish king [Felipe V](/source/Felipe_V) from the [House of Bourbon](/source/House_of_Bourbon), who had recently died. Construction ended during the reign of viceroy [Manuel de Amat y Junient](/source/Manuel_de_Amat_y_Junient) in 1774.

In 1782, viceroy [Manuel Guirior](/source/Manuel_Guirior) decided to bolster the defences of the fortress with the construction of two smaller complementary fortresses; the «San Miguel» and the «San Rafael». This system came to be known as «Los Castillos del Callao» (The castles of Callao).

### Independence Era

In 1806, viceroy [José Fernando de Abascal y Sousa](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Fernando_de_Abascal_y_Sousa) ordered the construction of a storage depot for arms, artillery and water to supply up to 2,000 soldiers for up to four months. On 21 January 1816, Admiral [Guillermo Brown](/source/Guillermo_Brown) blockaded the port of Callao, captured several royalist boats and proceeded to bombard the port. However, they were soon repulsed by the coastal batteries of the fortress.[5]

During 16 January 1819, the fortress repulsed an attack from Admiral [Lord Thomas Cochrane](/source/Thomas_Cochrane%2C_10th_Earl_of_Dundonald) during the government of viceroy [Joaquín de la Pezuela](/source/Joaqu%C3%ADn_de_la_Pezuela). This incident forced General [José de San Martín](/source/Jos%C3%A9_de_San_Mart%C3%ADn) to invade Lima from [Pisco](/source/Pisco%2C_Peru). Once the declaration of independence was decreed, General San Martín ordered to siege the fortress. The siege ended in 1821, when royalist General [José de La Mar](/source/Jos%C3%A9_de_La_Mar) surrendered to Republican forces. However, the fortress was captured again by the Spaniards under [Brigadier](/source/Brigadier) [José Ramón Rodil y Campillo](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Ram%C3%B3n_Rodil_y_Campillo). Only in 1826, would the fortress return to the republicans after Brigadier Rodil y Campillo surrendered and ended the [Second siege of Callao](/source/Second_siege_of_Callao).

## Gallery

		- Plan of the Royal Phillip's Castle and Callao seaport

		- Plan of the Royal Phillip's Castle

		- King's Tower

		- Queen's Tower

		- Callao seaport's Custom-House in Royal Phillip's Castle

		- Queen's Tower armed with a [Vavasseur](/source/Josiah_Vavasseur) cannon in 1880

		- Callao, 1862

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Humberto Cotos. ["Historia, Gente y Tradición: Piratas en el Callao"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090305034948/http://chimpum-callao.com/historia/piratas.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.chimpum-callao.com/historia/piratas.html) on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Regal, page. 2

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Humberto Cotos. ["Historia, Gente y Tradición: La Tragedia de 1746 y Manso de Velasco"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090725033607/http://www.chimpum-callao.com/historia/manso.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.chimpum-callao.com/historia/manso.html) on 25 July 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Regal, page. 5

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Regal, page. 29

## Bibliography

- ***GUIDE TO PERU***, Handbook for travelers, 6th. Edition, by Gonzalo de Reparaz Ruiz, Ediciones de Arte Rep, Lima – Perú, Book edited in English language by the Fondo de Promoción Turística del Perú – FOPTUR, pages 114–115.

- Higgins, James (editor). *The Emancipation of Peru: British Eyewitness Accounts*, 2014. Online at [https://sites.google.com/site/jhemanperu](https://sites.google.com/site/jhemanperu)

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Real Felipe, Callao](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Real_Felipe,_Callao).

- [Satellite photo of Real Felipe Fortress](https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&ie=UTF8&ll=-12.061942,-77.147659&spn=0.006704,0.009978&om=1)

- [Real Felipe Fortress' website(Spanish)](http://www.ejercito.mil.pe/ejercito/tradicion/museos/real_felipe/inicio.htm)

v t e Lima landmarks Pre-Columbian buildings Huaca Huallamarca Huaca Pucllana Huaca Santa Catalina Pachacamac Puruchuco Colonial buildings Balconies of Lima Basilica and Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced Monument Plazoleta Basilica and Convent of San Francisco Catacombs Basilica and Convent of San Pedro Basilica of Santo Domingo Plazuela Casa de Aliaga Casa de Divorciadas Casa de Osambela Casa de Pilatos Casa del Oidor Casa Goyeneche Casa Hacienda Punchauca Casa Matusita Casa O'Higgins Casa Riva-Agüero Casona of the National University of San Marcos Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of Art Theatre Basilica Cathedral of Lima Sanctuary Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro Cripta de los Héroes Church of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Church of Saint Catherine of Siena Church of Saint Lazarus Church of the Good Death Church of the Holy Christ of Wonders Church of the Orphans Church of Our Lady of Copacabana Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church of Our Lady of Patronage Church of Saint Anne Church of Saint Augustine Church of Saint Liberata Church of Saint Mary Magdalene Convent of Our Lady of the Angels Cuartel Barbones Fort of Santa Catalina Iglesia de la Recoleta Mogrovejo Hospital Monastery of Saint Rose of Lima National Mint of Peru Palacio de la Magdalena Palacio de Torre Tagle Panteón de los Próceres Plaza de toros de Acho Real Felipe Fortress Royal College of the University of San Marcos Royal Hospital of Saint Andrew Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima Seminario de Lima St. Clare's Monastery Mill St. Sebastian's Church Trinitarian Church Walls of Lima Other touristic buildings Archbishop's Palace Association of Amateur Artists Atlas Building Bar Cordano Basílica María Auxiliadora BBVA Building Begonias Tower Casa Arenas Loayza Casa de Correos y Telégrafos Casa de las Trece Monedas Casa del Pueblo Casa Fernandini, Lima Casa Fernandini, Santa María del Mar Casa Roosevelt Casa Rusa Casa Sal y Rosas Casa Suárez 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Martins National Hospital National Institute of Child Health National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases San Bartolomé National Hospital Víctor Larco Herrera Hospital Nearby areas with beaches Ancón Callao Base Port Chancay Port Chorrillos La Herradura Miraflores La Pampilla Pucusana Former Banco Comercial Barranco Lake Barranco Zoo Cabildo of Lima Casa Alcántara Casa Marcionelli Casa Oechsle Casa Tenaud Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Church of Saint Mary of Charity Cine Tauro El Sexto Prison Gate of Lima Giacoletti Building Great Clock of Lima Hipódromo de San Felipe Hipódromo de Santa Beatriz Lima Penitentiary Limatambo Airport Limatambo Building Marsano Palace Moorish Arch Museo de la Nación National Stadium San Jorge Prison San Martín barracks Venetian Palace Saint Paul's College Viceregal Palace

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Real Felipe Fortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Felipe_Fortress) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Felipe_Fortress?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.