Southsea Castle Hampshire

Southsea Castle is a former coastal fortification in the county of Hampshire in the UK . The fort is located in Southsea in the same district as the southern city of Portsmouth . The fort is one of a series of coastal fortifications, which Henry VIII had built after his break with the Roman Church in 1538 to protect his empire against a feared invasion by the Catholic powers, France and Spain. Southsea Castle was built from 1543 to 1544 within six months and should protect the entrance to the harbour of Portsmouth. In fact, appeared on 18 July 1545 a French invasion fleet was off Portsmouth and Southsea. Henry VIII watched from Southsea Castle, as his flagship, the Mary Rose fell. The fort served the next 400 years of military purposes. 1627 burned down the central tower. In the English Civil War the fort was captured by parliamentary troops in 1642 without loss of life. 1759, the plant was so badly damaged by an explosion that was given to whether the fort should be demolished. However, during the Napoleonic wars, the castle was reconstructed 1813 to 1814. Between 1844 and 1850, the fort served as a military prison, still in 1899, new coastal guns installed in the fortress. In 1960 the city bought the old fortress Portsmouth, since 1967 it is a museum open to the public and a good place to visit when the weather is inclement.

Southsea Map.