Castillo de San Juan Bautista (Castle of John Baptist), Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Castle of John Baptist, also known as the Black Castle, is a 17th-century coastal fortress. Built between 1641 and 1644 from locally sourced black volcanic stone, this round bastion was designed to safeguard the port from pirates and foreign navies. In 1765, its defensive strength was enhanced with the addition of a cylindrical tower overlooking the sea.

Today, the fortress stands as one of the best-preserved military monuments on the island. Most notably, every July 25, the castle comes to life with a theatrical reenactment of Admiral Horatio Nelson’s failed 1797 invasion-offering a captivating glimpse into Tenerife’s storied past. Even though it is currently closed for interior visits, its historical significance and unique architecture make it a noteworthy landmark in the city.