Ceremonial firing of the cannon at La Cabaña in Havana

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Havana, Cuba - At 9pm every night, a cannon is ceremoniously fired at the fortress of La Cabana to signal the traditional closing of Havana Bay to protect from pirates and foreign invaders. Festivities often follow at the fort.  La Cabaña (full name: Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña) is an 18th century fortress complex located on the elevated eastern side of the harbor entrance in Havana, Cuba.

Construction of La Cabaña was begun in 1763 by King Carlos III of Spain, the controlling colonial power of Cuba, following the temporary capture of Havana by British forces (an exchange was soon made to give Cuba back to the Spanish in exchange for Florida). Replacing earlier fortifications on the high grounds next to the 16th century El Morro fortress, La Cabaña was the largest colonial military installation in the New World by the time it was completed in 1774, at great expense to Spain.

The fortress served as both a military base and prison over the next two hundred years for both Spain and an independent Cuba. In January 1959, rebels led by Che Guevara captured La Cabaña and used it as a headquarters for several months while leading the Cuban revolution. The complex is now part of a historical park, along with El Morro, and houses several museums open to the public.