San Antón Castle

San Antón began on a small island in the bay, separated from the city it was intended to defend. Fortress construction started in 1588, and its layout reflects the need to control the harbour entrance. Before its twentieth-century connection with the mainland, reaching it required a boat. Its purposes changed over time: defensive position, prison and, since 1968, archaeological and historical museum. This transformation links military architecture with Galicia’s past, including objects from hillfort culture and the Roman period. From outside, consider the relationship between location, water and surveillance. Electrical works were officially announced in 2026; check the museum’s opening status rather than assuming interior access is available simply because the surrounding promenade can be reached.