Ozama Fortress: The first permanent military defense structure built in the Americas

I am a sea-viewing and wave-listening tour＋ global traveler, please follow me! (Published the 1713th travel photography article in 57 countries/regions across 5 continents) Ozama Fortress (Fortaleza Ozama) is located within the colonial old town of Santo Domingo. It is the first permanent military defense structure built in the Americas. The first governor, Nicolás de Ovando, was well aware that the many European powers would inevitably covet this New World of the Americas, and war was unavoidable. Therefore, in 1502, he began the construction of this fortress to guard the mouth of the Ozama River and protect the city of Santo Domingo. Ozama Fortress, as the first fortification in the Americas, was built very solidly. Over its 500-year history, it repelled other European powers and Caribbean pirates, and it was never breached. The Ozama Fortress was even used as a prison later on. Within the fortress stands a medieval-style tower built of coral rock (Torre del Homenaje), which briefly served as the residence for the second governor of Santo Domingo, Diego Columbus.