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The castle of San Antón is a 16th century castle located in the city of La Coruña, in the Autonomous Community of Galicia, Spain. It was declared a Historical Artistic Monument in 1949 and since 1994 it has been considered an Asset of Cultural Interest with the category of Monument. Since its inauguration in 1968, it has housed the Archaeological and Historical Museum of La Coruña.
This old fortress was built on what was then a small islet in the middle of the A Coruña bay, where there was a small hermitage dedicated to San Antón. Its purpose was to defend the city from attacks from the sea. Its construction began in 1587, according to an inscription on the fortress's façade.
During the English attack of 1589 by the English Navy, the castle effectively contributed to the defense of the city, despite being unfinished. After the attack, its construction continued until the completion of the works in 1590. From the 18th century onwards the fortress became a prison, a function that it would maintain until its transfer to the City Council of La Coruña in 1960.
