Fortaleza Ozama, the first military edifice of the New World, made it possible to keep watch over and control the Ozama river, Caribbean sea and harbour. The impressive 18.5m-high Torre del Homenaje stands in the fort's inner courtyard. Encircled by a wall, it commands a fine view of the old town. In the 18C, a powder magazine with walls 3m thick was added to the structure. In the garden you can see the statue of Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, the first historian of the New World and mayor of the town (1533-1537).