Fuerte de San Carlos

Fortalesa de Sant Carles is a historic fortress in the capital Palma on the Balearic island of Mallorca. It is located on the western side of Palma's harbor facilities on the road Carretera al Dic del l’Oest, about 3 km south of Castell de Bellver.

Since antiquity, the bay Cala de Portopí was a strategically important point to protect the port of Palma from pirates and privateers. In the 13th century, a defensive tower, Torre de Senyals de Portopí, was erected on the site of the later fortress, which also served as a lighthouse. At the beginning of 1600, the planning of the castle complex on the western city wall boundary of Palma began by order of King Felipe III.

Construction began in 1608, and the first section was completed in 1610. The extension was completed in 1612, with the old defensive tower being incorporated into the fortress and forming the eastern corner of the fortress. At this time, the castle was still called Castell de Portopí; only later was the name changed to Fortalesa de Sant Carles. From 1662 to 1663, the fortress was enclosed with a fortification wall and corresponds to its current rectangular appearance. From 1932 to 1939, the complex was used as a prison during the uprising against the Republic, along with Castell de Bellver, and housed political prisoners.

In 1981, the fortress was converted and furnished into a museum of the Spanish army. The exhibits primarily display war material from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and a section of the museum was dedicated to the Mallorcan General Valerià Weyler i Nicolau.

The fortress is in good condition and illuminated at night.