A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were centers where the martial art of

Arnis de Mano Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima/Escrima, is the national martial art of the Philippines. The three are roughly interchangeable umbrella terms for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines (" Filipino Martial Arts", or FMA), which e ...

was developed from Spanish cut-and-thrust fencing style. The term is derived from the Latin word ''praesidium'' meaning ''protection'' or ''defense''. In the Mediterranean and the Philippines, the presidios were outposts of Christian defense against Islamic raids. In the Americas, the fortresses were built to protect against raid of pirates, rival colonists, as well as Native Americans. Later in western

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

, with independence, the Mexicans garrisoned the Spanish presidios on the northern frontier and followed the same pattern in unsettled frontier regions such as the Presidio de Sonoma, at Sonoma, California, and the

Presidio de Calabasas The Presidio de Calabasas, also known as Fort Calabasas or Camp Calabasas, was a stone fortress built by Mexico in 1837 south of Tumacacori, Arizona. It was built on the land of the Grant of Manuel María Gándara, by Gándara to protect his land ...

, in Arizona. In western North America, a ''rancho del rey'' or ''kings ranch'' would be established a short distance outside a presidio. This was a tract of land assigned to the presidio to furnish pasturage to the horses and other beasts of burden of the garrison. Mexico called this facility "rancho nacional". Presidios were only accessible to Spanish military and soldiers.

North Africa

After the Granada War and the completion of the Spanish '' Reconquista'', the Catholic Monarchs took their fight across the

Strait of Gibraltar The Strait of Gibraltar ( ar, مضيق جبل طارق, Maḍīq Jabal Ṭāriq; es, Estrecho de Gibraltar, Archaic: Pillars of Hercules), also known as the Straits of Gibraltar, is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Medi ...

, as the Portuguese had done several generations earlier with the conquest of Ceuta in 1415. The establishment of Spanish military outposts on the North African coast echoed earlier endeavors by the

Kingdom of Sicily The Kingdom of Sicily ( la, Regnum Siciliae; it, Regno di Sicilia; scn, Regnu di Sicilia) was a state that existed in the south of the Italian Peninsula and for a time the region of Ifriqiya from its founding by Roger II of Sicily in 1130 un ...

in the 12th century (and again in Djerba under Frederick III of Sicily) and the Kingdom of France in the 13th century ( Eighth Crusade of 1270). During the period of Iberian Union between 1580 and 1640, the Spanish Crown gained Ceuta and the Portuguese outposts on the Atlantic Coast, such as Tangier, Mazagão/El Jadida and

Casablanca Casablanca, also known in Arabic as Dar al-Bayda ( ar, الدَّار الْبَيْضَاء, al-Dār al-Bayḍāʾ, ; ber, ⴹⴹⴰⵕⵍⴱⵉⴹⴰ, ḍḍaṛlbiḍa, : "White House") is the largest city in Morocco and the country's econom ...

; but of these, it only retained Ceuta by the Treaty of Lisbon (1668). The Spanish North African ''presidios'' are listed here in geographical sequence, from West to East, and including neither Spain's Atlantic settlements in the Moroccan far South (e.g. Santa Cruz de la Mar Pequeña) nor outposts gained after 1830 (e.g. the

Chafarinas Islands The Chafarinas Islands ( es, Islas Chafarinas , ber, Igumamen Iceffaren, script=Latn or , ar, جزر الشفارين or ), also spelled Zafarin, Djaferin or Zafarani, are a group of three small Spanish islets located in the Alboran Sea off th ...

). *

Mehdya, Morocco Mehdya ( ar-at, المهدية, al-Mahdiyā), also Mehdia or Mehedya, is a town in Kénitra Province, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Morocco. Previously called al-Ma'mura, it was known as São João da Mamora under 16th century Portuguese occupation, or as ...

(''La Mamora'' or ''San Miguel de Ultramar''), 1614–1681 * Larache, 1610–1689 * Ceuta, acquired from Portugal in 1668 *

Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera (; ) is a Spanish exclave and rocky tied island, in the western Mediterranean Sea, connected to the Moroccan shore by a sandy isthmus. It is also connected to a smaller islet to the east, La Isleta, by a rocky isthmus. The tied island was name ...

, 1508–1522 and since 1564 *

Alhucemas Islands The Alhucemas Islands ( es, Islas Alhucemas, ar, جزر الحسيمة) is a group of islands and one of the Spanish '' plazas de soberanía'' just off the Moroccan coast in the Alboran Sea. Overview Peñón de Alhucemas, together with ...

, since 1559 *

Cazaza Cazaza was a Spanish enclave on the western coast of Cape Three Forks, in what is today Morocco, around 18 km from Melilla. It was here that the exiled Boabdil, last Emir of Granada, landed when he left the Iberian Peninsula in 1492. In 150 ...

, 1505–1533 *

Melilla Melilla ( , ; ; rif, Mřič ; ar, مليلية ) is an autonomous city of Spain located in north Africa. It lies on the eastern side of the Cape Three Forks, bordering Morocco and facing the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of . It was par ...

, since 1497 *

Honaine Honaine is a town and commune in Tlemcen Province in northwestern Algeria. Geography The territory of the commune of Honaïne is situated to the north of the wilaya of Tlemcen. Honaïne is a port city on the south-western shore of the Mediterranea ...

, briefly in 1534 *

Mers El Kébir Mers El Kébir ( ar, المرسى الكبير, translit=al-Marsā al-Kabīr, lit=The Great Harbor ) is a port on the Mediterranean Sea, near Oran in Oran Province, northwest Algeria. It is famous for the attack on the French fleet in 1940, in t ...

(''Mazalquivir''), 1505–1708 and 1732–1792 *

Oran Oran ( ar, وَهران, Wahrān) is a major coastal city located in the north-west of Algeria. It is considered the second most important city of Algeria after the capital Algiers, due to its population and commercial, industrial, and cultural ...

, 1509–1708 and 1732–1792 *

Algiers Algiers ( ; ar, الجزائر, al-Jazāʾir; ber, Dzayer, script=Latn; french: Alger, ) is the capital and largest city of Algeria. The city's population at the 2008 Census was 2,988,145Census 14 April 2008: Office National des Statistiques ...

(''Argel''), 1510–1516; Peñón islet until 1529 * Béjaïa (''Bugia''), 1510–1555 * Annaba (''Bona''), 1535–1540 *

Bizerte Bizerte or Bizerta ( ar, بنزرت, translit=Binzart , it, Biserta, french: link=no, Bizérte) the classical Hippo, is a city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia. It is the northernmost city in Africa, located 65 km (40mil) north of the cap ...

(''Bizerta''), 1535–1574 * La Goulette (''La Goleta''), 1535–1574 * Tunis (''Túnez''), 1573–1574 (protectorate from 1535 to 1569) *

Sousse Sousse or Soussa ( ar, سوسة, ; Berber:''Susa'') is a city in Tunisia, capital of the Sousse Governorate. Located south of the capital Tunis, the city has 271,428 inhabitants (2014). Sousse is in the central-east of the country, on the Gulf ...

(''Susa''), 1537–1574 * Monastir, 1550–1554 * Mahdia (''Mahdía''), 1550–1553 * Djerba (''Yerba''), 1521–1523 and 1551–1560 *

Tripoli Tripoli or Tripolis may refer to: Cities and other geographic units Greece *Tripoli, Greece, the capital of Arcadia, Greece *Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in t ...

(''Trípoli''), 1510–1530 then granted to the Knights Hospitaller who held it until 1551 File:Velez de la Gomera.jpg,

Vélez de la Gomera Velez may refer to: Places * Vélez de Benaudalla, Spain * Vélez Sársfield (barrio), Buenos Aires, Argentina * Vélez-Blanco, Spain * Vélez-Málaga, Spain * Vélez-Rubio, Spain * Vélez, Santander, Colombia * Velež (Bosnia and Herzegovina), a m ...

File:Melilla un día de regatas.jpg,

File:Spanish fortress mers El kebir.jpg,

File:Bordj Moussa.jpeg, Spanish fort (''Bordj Moussa'') in Béjaïa File:LA GOULETTE 1.JPG, La Goulette File:Chikly avec le Djebel Zaghouan en arrière-plan.jpg, Spanish fort of Chikly Island on the

Lake of Tunis The Lake of Tunis ( ''Buḥayra Tūnis''; ) is a natural lagoon located between the Tunisian capital city of Tunis and the Gulf of Tunis ( Mediterranean Sea). The lake covers a total of 37 square kilometres, in contrast to its size its de ...

File:Tripoli castle2.jpg, Red Castle of Tripoli

Italy

Several fortresses formerly held by the Republic of Siena were acquired by Spain following the latter's demise, by treaty between

Philip II of Spain Philip II) in Spain, while in Portugal and his Italian kingdoms he ruled as Philip I ( pt, Filipe I). (21 May 152713 September 1598), also known as Philip the Prudent ( es, Felipe el Prudente), was King of Spain from 1556, King of Portugal from ...

and

Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I de' Medici (12 June 1519 – 21 April 1574) was the second Duke of Florence from 1537 until 1569, when he became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, a title he held until his death. Life Rise to power Cosimo was born in Florence on 12 ...

on 3 July 1557, to form what became known as the ''Estado de los Presidios''. They were held by Spain until the War of the Spanish Succession, when they came under Austrian ownership, and were administered from Naples. * Porto Ercole * Porto Santo Stefano * Orbetello * Talamone * Ansedonia * Giannutri * Porto Azzurro File:Porto Ercole - Vista fortezza dalla rocca.JPG, Forte Filippo (Philip II Fortress), Porto Ercole File:Forte Stella Porto Ercole (GR).jpg, Forte Stella, Porto Ercole File:Palazzo dei Governanti Porto Ercole (GR).jpg, Governors Palace, Porto Ercole

Philippines

Luzon

*The Presidio de Santiago, founded in 1593 in Intramuros, Manila *The Presidio de San Felipe (Cavite), founded in 1609 in San Roque, Cavite

Visayas

*The

Presidio de Lawis Presidio de Lawis, known more commonly as the Kota or fort, was a Spanish fortification laid-down around 1628-1630 in the northernmost tip of Bantayan Island in Central Philippines by the Cebuano Spanish Army The Spanish Army ( es, Ejé ...

Madridejos, Cebu Madridejos, officially the Municipality of Madridejos ( ceb, Lungsod sa Madridejos; tgl, Bayan ng Madridejos), is a 4th class municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Cebu, Philippines. According to ...

, the current structure is the oldest in the country laid down around 1628–1630 *The Presidio (Fort) de San Pedro (Iloilo), founded in 1616 in Iloilo City *The Presidio de San Pedro (Cebu), founded in 1630 in Cebu

Mindanao

*The Presidio de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza, founded in 1635 in Zamboanga

Mexico

Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (8776614998)

Antiguo Palacio Municipal Villa de Seris-1

Few presidios were established in the present-day desert frontier regions in northern Mexico to control and confine the existing rebellious indigenous tribes. Captured indigenous warriors were confined and enslaved at the presidio."As the eighteenth century unfolded, military garrisons and soldiers superseded the missions as the lynchpins of Spain’s efforts to stabilize the frontier. With the new approach came new forms of coercion. The word “presidio” captures the dual purpose of garrison and prison." Reséndez, Andrés. The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America (p. 205). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.

Baja California Sur

* The Real Presidio de Loreto, founded in 1697 in Loreto, Baja California Sur.

Nuevo León

*The Presidio San Gregorio de Cerralvo, founded in 1626 in Cerralvo.

Sonora

*The Presidio del Pitic, founded in 1726 in Hermosillo, Sonora *The Presidio Santa Gertrudis del Altar, founded in 1755 in Altar, Sonora *The

Presidio de Santa Rosa de Corodéguachi A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were ce ...

, founded in 1692, near the

Sonora Sonora (), officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora ( en, Free and Sovereign State of Sonora), is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the Administrative divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. The state is d ...

/ Arizona border and later moved to Fronteras, Sonora

Durango

* The Presidio de Santa Catalina de Tepehuanes (1620 – 1690s?), in Santa Catarina de Tepehuanes. * The

Presidio del Pasaje A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cen ...

(1685), on Rio Nazas northwest of Cuencamé. * The

Presidio de San Pedro del Gallo A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were ce ...

(1690s), in

San Pedro del Gallo San Pedro del Gallo is a town and seat of the municipality of San Pedro del Gallo, in the state of Durango, north-western Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of Nor ...

. * The Presidio de Santiago de Mapimí (1715), in Mapimí. * The Presidio de San Miguel de Cerrogordo (1648–1767) in Villa Hidalgo.

Chihuahua

*The

Presidio de El Paso del Río Grande del Norte A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cent ...

(1683–1773), at Ciudad Juárez, across the river from El Paso, Texas. Later relocated south in 1773 to Carrizal. *The Presidio de San Felipe y Santiago de Janos (1691-?), in Janos. *The

Presidio de Casas Grandes A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th century, 16th and 18th century, 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Captaincy Genera ...

(1686), was relocated to Janos in 1691. *The

Presidio de San Francisco de Conchos A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were ...

, founded in 1685 at San Francisco de Conchos. *The

Presidio de San Bartolomé A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cent ...

(? – 1710), located 20 km east of Parral. Replaced by flying squadron operating from the Post of Valle de San Bartolomé (1710 – ?). *The Presidio de San Carlos de Cerro Gordo, founded in 1772 at

Manuel Benavides Manuel Benavides is a small town and seat of the municipality of Manuel Benavides, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. As of 2010, the town had a population of 916, up from 200 as of 2005. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. ...

. *The

Presidio de Nuestra Señora de las Caldas de Guajoquilla A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were ce ...

, founded in 1752 in Jiménez * The Presidio de San Fernando de Carrizal (1758 – ?)

Coahuila

*The

Presidio del Santísimo Sacramento del Valle de Santa Rosa A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cent ...

, founded in 1780 in Santa Rosa de Múzquiz *The Presidio San Juan Bautista del Río Grande, founded around 1703 in San Juan Bautista, now the present-day Guerrero, Coahuila *The Presidio San Antonio Bucareli de la Babia, founded in 1774 in Cuatro Ciénegas

United States

South Carolina

* The Presidio Santa Elena, founded in 1566 on

Parris Island Parris is both a given name and surname. Notable people with the name include: Given name * Parris Afton Bonds, American novelist * Parris Campbell (born 1997), American football player * Parris Duffus (born 1970), retired American ice hockey goa ...

, destroyed by Native Americans in 1576, re-established in 1577, abandoned in 1587

Georgia

* The Presidio Guale, founded in 1566, abandoned three months later * The Presidio San Pedro de Tacatacuru, founded in 1569 on Cumberland Island, abandoned in 1573

Florida

* The Presidio San Augustin, founded in 1565, which developed into the city of

St. Augustine Augustine of Hippo ( , ; la, Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430), also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Afri ...

, ceded to Great Britain in 1763, regained 20 years later, and transferred to the United States in 1821 * The Presidio San Mateo, founded in 1565 on the ruins of Fort Caroline, captured and destroyed by the French in 1568 * The Presidio Ais, founded in 1565 on the

Indian River Lagoon The Indian River Lagoon is a grouping of three lagoons: the Mosquito Lagoon, the Banana River, and the Indian River, on the Atlantic Coast of Florida; one of the most biodiverse estuaries in the Northern Hemisphere and is home to more than 4,300 ...

, abandoned after one month * The Presidio Santa Lucia, founded in 1565 near

Cape Canaveral , image = cape canaveral.jpg , image_size = 300 , caption = View of Cape Canaveral from space in 1991 , map = Florida#USA , map_width = 300 , type =Cape , map_caption = Location in Florida , location ...

, abandoned four months later * The Presidio San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1566 at Calos, capital of the

Calusa The Calusa ( ) were a Native American people of Florida's southwest coast. Calusa society developed from that of archaic peoples of the Everglades region. Previous indigenous cultures had lived in the area for thousands of years. At the time of ...

, abandoned in 1569 * The Presidio Tocobaga, founded in 1567 on Tampa Bay, destroyed by the Tocobagas within ten months * The Presidio Tequesta, founded in 1567 on the site of what is now Miami, abandoned in 1568 * The

Presidio Santa Maria de Galve The Presidio Santa María de Galve, founded in 1698 by Spanish colonists, was the first European settlement of Pensacola, Florida after that of Tristan de Luna in 1559–1561. It was in the area of Fort Barrancas at modern-day Naval Air Station Pe ...

, founded in 1696, near Fort Barrancas at present-day Naval Air Station Pensacola; captured by French in 1719, Spanish relocated to Presidio Bahía San José de Nueva Asturias (see below) * The Presidio Bahía San José de Valladares, founded in 1701 on St. Joseph Bay, captured by French in 1718 * The Presidio San Marcos de Apalachee, founded in 1718 at the existing port of San Marcos, which developed into the town of St. Marks, ceded to Great Britain in 1763, regained 20 years later, and transferred to the United States in 1821 * The Presidio Bahía San José de Nueva Asturias, founded in 1719 on St. Joseph Point, abandoned when Spanish regained Pensacola Bay area from French in 1722, Spanish relocated to Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza (see below) * The Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza, founded in 1722 on Santa Rosa Island, destroyed by a hurricane in 1755, Spanish relocated to Presidio San Miguel de Panzacola (see below) * The Presidio San Miguel de Panzacola, founded in 1755, which developed into the city of Pensacola, ceded to Great Britain in 1763, regained 20 years later, and transferred to the United States in 1821

Louisiana

*The Presidio Nuestra Señora del Pilar de los Adaes, founded in 1721 near the present-day

Robeline Robeline is a village in western Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 183 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Natchitoches Micropolitan Statistical Area. History Robeline was the capital of Texas for 50 years. ...

Texas

*The Presidio Fuerte de Santa Cruz del Cibolo, founded in 1734 and re-established in 1771 near Cestohowa, Texas in Karnes County, Texas, (between San Antonio and Goliad). *The Presidio San Antonio de Béxar, founded in 1718 in San Antonio *The Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto, founded in 1721, near Lavaca Bay, now in Goliad *The Presidio San Luis de las Amarillas San Saba, founded in 1772 near the present-day

Menard Menard may refer to: Places Canada * Menard River, a tributary of the Wawagosic River in Quebec, Canada United States * Menard County, Illinois ** Menard, Illinois * Menard County, Texas ** Menard, Texas * Menard–Hodges site, archaeologic ...

*The

Presidio de la Junta de los Ríos Norte y Conchos A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cent ...

, founded in 1760 just southwest of present-day Presidio

New Mexico

*The

Presidio Santa Cruz de la Cañada A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th century, 16th and 18th century, 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Captaincy Genera ...

, in Santa Cruz

Arizona

* The

Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac The Presidio of San Ignacio de Túbac or Fort Tubac was a Spanish built fortress. The fortification was established by the Spanish Army in 1752 at the site of present-day Tubac, Arizona. Its ruins are preserved in the Tubac Presidio ...

, founded in 1752 in

Tubac Tubac is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,191 at the 2010 census. The place name "Tubac" is an English borrowing from a Hispanicized form of the O'odham name ''Cuwak'', whic ...

* The Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, founded in 1775 in Tucson * The Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate, founded in 1775 near the present-day Tombstone * The

, founded in 1837 near the present-day Tumacacori * The Presidio de San Bernardino, founded in 1776 near the present-day Douglas (Gerald 1968) Presido chapel1

California

* The Presidio Real de San Carlos de Monterey, founded in 1770. Its rancho del rey was what became Rancho Nacional. It is currently housing the Defense Language Institute, in Monterey * The Presidio Real de San Diego, founded in 1769 in San Diego, its rancho del rey was what became Rancho de la Nación. * The Presidio Real de San Francisco, founded in 1776 and now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. Its rancho del rey was what became Rancho Buri Buri. * The Presidio Real de Santa Bárbara, founded in 1782 in Santa Barbara. Its rancho del rey was what became

Rancho San Julian Rancho San Julian was a Mexican land grant and present-day ranch in present-day Santa Barbara County, California given in 1837 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to José de la Guerra y Noriega. The grant name probably refers to José Antonio Julian de ...

. * The Presidio de Sonoma, founded by Mexico in 1836 in Sonoma. Its rancho nacional was what became Rancho Suscol.

Canada

* Fort San Miguel

Chile

Notes

References and further reading

*Gerald, Rex E. (1968). ''Spanish Presidios of the Late Eighteenth Century in Northern New Spain''. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe. *Moorhead, Max L. ''The Presidio: Bastion of the Spanish Borderlands''. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press 1975. *Rene Javellana, S. J. ''Fortress of Empire''. Ateneo de Manila University Press 1997. {{Fortifications Architecture in Spain Spanish forts in the United States