La Cabana (or Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana)

La Cabana is a historic 18th century fortification that is located to the east of the entrance to Havana Harbour. It is the third largest in the Americas. Over the next two centuries, the fortress served as a base for the Spanish and later-then independent Cuba. In 1959, the communist rebels led by Fidel Castro seized La Cabana and since then it has also been used as a prison, as well as a fortress and headquarters by Che Guevara. Today the complex is part of a historical site, together with El Morro, which houses several museums open to the public. A canon is fired every night at 9PM, a custom that is maintained since colonial times marking the closure of the gate within the fortress walls.