In 1622 it began the construction of Castillo San Carlos for the defense of the Pampatar Bay, on the Isla de Margarita. Forty years later, in 1662, the castle and the population plundered by Dutch pirates were destroyed. In this same place, according to the plans of the military engineer Don Juan Bethany, the Captaincy. Carlos Navarro started the reconstruction of the castle in 1664 and finished it. 20 years later, in 1684, as the & nbsp; SAN CARLOS DE BORROMEO CASTLE.
Subsequently the castle was destroyed and rebuilt on different occasions during the colonial period and independence. Likewise, as a National Historical Monument, it has been restored on several occasions, such as the one that is under construction. currently receiving, so that access to some areas of it is limited; however, the visit of this military fortress of the colonial era is well worth it (Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
The castle is located on the beach in front of the Pampatar Bay in what can be considered the historic center Pampatar. Your goal, along with the Fort La Caranta, located on the other side of the bay a, was to protect, with its crossfire, the port and the customs of the corsairs and pirates of the time, who continually harassed the Island of Margarita and the Caribbean Sea in general. The castle is a classic example of the military architecture of the time, with the plant in a grid form and a observation booth in each of the corners. This design is very characteristic of the military constructions of the time that were made in the coast of Venezuela. The Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo also has a moat around it that for reasons practices never had water.