LA FUERZA. 
35 
Fuerza was intrusted not only the keeping of the city, but the protection 
as well of the cargoes of gold and silver destined for the Spanish treasury. 
In 1544 a royal decree was issued requiring war ships coming into the 
harbor to salute the fortification in recognition of its dignity and 
importance. 
La Fuerza was for a long period the official residence of the Governors 
and Captains-General of the island; among them, in 1568, that Pedro de 
Menendez d’Aviles, who three years before in 1563 had founded St. 
Augustine in Florida. Writing in 1761, Arrete records that the Governors 
of that period did much to adorn La Fuerza, providing reception parlors 
and luxurious sculpture in the interior, and ornamental round balconies 
on the outside. Originally called La Fuerza, meaning “The Fort,” after 
other forts were built it was known as La Vie.ia Fuerza, “The Old Fort,” 
and from its use for a residence as “Governors’ Fort.” This name 
appears on the plan of 1762, which is reproduced on another page. 
The work is a quadrilateral fortress, having a bastion at each of the 
corners. It is 25 yards in height; the walls are double, and the terrepleins 
are supported on arches. It was surrounded by a deep moat. The bell 
in the tower sounded the hours through day and night, and was rung by 
the sentinel always posted here to alarm the town of the approach of a 
hostile sail. Later the signal flags of La Fuerza repeated the messages 
of those of the Morro, to announce the arrival of ships. The bronze 
figure of the Indian girl on the tower, holding a cross and facing the Gulf, 
FROM THE TOWER OF LA FUERZA. 
