Northeast of Versalles lies this formidable crenellation built by the Spanish in 1735 as part of Cuba's defensive ring. Slaves were offloaded here in the 18th century and, later, Cuban patriots were imprisoned within the walls – and sometimes executed. San Severino remained a prison until the 1970s and in more recent times has become the scantly populated slavery-themed Museo de la Ruta de los Esclavos .
The castle itself, with its well-preserved central square, has great views of the Bahía de Matanzas. A taxi from the city center costs CUC$2.
