Kingston Images

Golden sunset light bathes the weathered walls of Fort San Lorenzo, the Spanish stronghold built to protect the vital Chagres River trade route. Constructed in 1626, this fortress defended Spanish treasure shipments for decades before falling to Henry Morgan's privateers in January 1671. After a fierce two-day battle, Morgan's men captured the fort before continuing upriver toward Panama City, leaving five ships including his flagship wrecked on nearby Lajas Reef. These ruins represent the starting point in the archaeological quest to uncover one of history's most significant privateer raids.