The Haunted Garita of El Morro

In the 1600s, El Morro stood as Puerto Rico's ultimate defense against pirates and other attackers. Towering above the crashing Atlantic waves, this fortress boasted tall stone walls, cannons, and countless sentry boxes. One of these garitas, La Garita del Diablo, holds a chilling legend that remains a mystery today.

The story begins with a young soldier, Sánchez, assigned to guard the fortress one particularly stormy night. Known for his rebellious spirit, Sánchez didn’t take his duty too seriously; he’d often been seen sneaking away to meet his lover in the city. His commander, tired of his insubordination, assigned him to La Garita del Diablo—a lonely sentry box isolated on the fortress's edge.

As the night wore on, thunder echoed, waves crashed against the stone walls, and a sense of dread settled over the fortress. Soldiers passing by the garita couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. When the storm cleared and morning came, Sánchez was nowhere to be found. His musket lay abandoned, and in his place was only the faint sound of whispered voices swirling in the wind. The legend of La Garita del Diablo was born.

Locals say Sánchez was taken by the devil or cursed by a spirit from an ancient Taíno legend. Since then, many who stand near La Garita del Diablo on a quiet night have sworn they hear whispered calls, footsteps, and the chilling sound of Sánchez’s lonely cry echoing in the wind. Whether he was taken by the supernatural or simply fled into the night, Sánchez and his legend live on in El Morro’s shadowy walls.

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With thrill

Penelope McGrath
Psychological Thriller Author

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