The Castillo del Príncipe sits on the hilltop at the edge of Nuevo Vedado, a late 18th-century Spanish military fortification that once commanded views over the entire western approach to Havana. Built between 1767 and 1779 by the Spanish military engineer Agustín Crame, it is a well-preserved example of colonial defensive architecture with a star-shaped plan and dry moat.
For most of its post-colonial history the castle served as a prison. It is now a military facility and not regularly open to the public, but the imposing exterior and its position on the hill above Nuevo Vedado make it a worthwhile landmark to walk past on the way to the University of Havana. The views from the surrounding streets across the city are among the best in western Havana.