The name of Sancti Petri is due to its proximity to the village of the same name, an old fishing port, now abandoned and recovered as a concert area during the summer. It has a marina, bars and a pleasant promenade.
Images and figures of “Melkart”, a Phoenician god who had his sanctuary in the temple of Heracles, have been found in Sancti Petri. It is said that the temple was visited by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. And it was on top of this temple that the Castle of Sancti Petri was built. Historians claim that the temple was founded during the Trojan War, at the beginning of the 12th century BC.
It is built on an islet in the middle of the sea. It is of a defensive nature right at the mouth of the Sancti Petri channel. It formed part of the line of fortifications that protected the entrance to the channel, together with the defensive batteries at the Boquerón point, forming a strategically and militarily important complex for the area.
It formed part of the system of coastal watchtowers ordered by Felipe II in the 16th century, for the sighting of Barbary pirate ships. Torre Bermeja, which separates the cliffs of Sancti Petri from the beach of “La Barrosa”, stands out, as does the well-known Torre del Puerco, which can also be seen from the area of Novo Sancti Petri.
The tower stands out from its irregular layout, with a lighthouse at the top. Also noteworthy is the use of oyster stone in its construction, which is very common in the area. It is currently declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and was restored for the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Cortes de Cádiz in 2010.
It is very close to the municipality of San Fernando, better known as “La Isla”, to which it belongs. The inhabitants of Chiclana and San Fernando often argue about the ownership of the castle.
You can visit it on one of the excursions we offer. During the summer and taking advantage of the low seas, hundreds of bathers use various nautical boats to reach the castle.