Castle of San Felipe de Lara

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The Castle of San Felipe de Lara was built in 1652 to protect the settlements on Lake Izabal from English pirates. The fort, however, was only moderately successful, being captured and destroyed by pirates on several occasions. After pirates disappeared from the Caribbean a century later, the fort’s thick walls served as a prison. Restored following an earthquake in 1999, the castle is now the centerpiece of a pleasant park where visitors can soak in the swashbuckling atmosphere or take a refreshing dip under the watchful eye of the historic monument.