Habsburg and Bourbon Spain

San Fernando

Today: Spain

Years: 1492–1833
Role: Villa of the Isla de León, base of the Navy

The Isla de León, later renamed San Fernando, grew around the castle of San Romualdo and took off with the Bourbons and the Navy, which set up the Arsenal de la Carraca here. In 1729 it ceased to belong to the house of Arcos and passed to the Crown, and in 1766 Carlos III gave it its own council, as the Villa de la Real Isla de León. Fernando VII gave it its present name and the title of city for its resistance to the French.

What to see today

Casa consistorial de San Fernando (Casas Consistoriales): Public building, c. 1750 to 1800
Arsenal de la Carraca: Arsenal, 1752 to 1788
Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (Real Observatorio de la Armada): Public building, 1793 to 1797
Iglesia conventual del Carmen: Church, 1733
Iglesia de la Divina Pastora: Church, 18th century

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