This fort is also known as El Morro de San Felipe. It was originally erected to protect the city of Puerto Plata from attacking pirates and corsairs. Its construction was commissioned by King Felipe II, of Spain, and it was completed in 1577 by Don Rengifo de Angulo, the fort's mayor. It is located on a hill at the "Puntilla Del Malecón," overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; its strategic location protected the entrance to the city's seaport. Today, La Fortaleza San Felipe serves as a museum showcasing the important role it has played in the history of Puerto Plata, and the Dominican Republic. --Historical facts by Dr. Germán Camarena Gómez, "The Fort San Felipe of Puerto Plata."