La Cabaña is the largest colonial-era fortress in the Americas — an 18th-century military complex built by the Spanish after the British capture of Havana in 1762. The fortification stretches along the ridge east of the harbour entrance for nearly a kilometre. Today it contains museums, galleries, a small hotel, several restaurants, and the nightly cañonazo ceremony.
The cañonazo at 9pm is one of Havana's most reliable spectacles — soldiers in 18th-century uniform fire a cannon across the harbour, a tradition that dates from the colonial period when it signalled the closing of the city gates. The ceremony draws a crowd of Cubans and tourists. The walk along the fortress walls gives some of the best views of the Havana skyline across the water.