Castillo de San Cristobal or “Saint Christopher Castle” in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is the largest fortification ever built by the Spanish in the New World. Declared a World Heritage site in 1983, this massive fortification covers 27 acres.

This is a view from the fort of what is called the Devil’s Sentry Box. It is the oldest surviving element of San Cristobal, a lonely lookout post renown in Puerto Rican legend as the “Garita del Diablo”. Sentries manning this post regularly shouted “Alerta” during their watch to communicate with other soldiers and keep themselves awake during the long nights.

This view cannot be readily seen from the fort. I was strolling along the top of the fort and could hear the roaring of the surf below but could not see it because of the high parapet walls. I decided to precariously climb out onto one of the openings where the cannons would shoot from. When I got to the edge I was struck by this wonderful sight. And as an added bonus there happened to be a person sitting on the wall.