Officially, the Chilean settlement of Coquimbo received the status of a city in 1879. However, the first mention of it dates back three centuries earlier when the famous writer Pedro Cieza de León described this amazing place in his monumental work Chronicle of Peru. The mild climate and picturesque views of these places made a strong impression on the Spanish chronicler. Although the main attraction of Coquimbo, Fort Lambert, had not yet been there.

Famous Fort Lambert, also known as Fort Coquimbo, was built in 1865 on the hill of Castillo del Carmen. Today, this part of the city is better known as Punta Pelicanos because of its proximity to a small island inhabited by pelicans. By the way, pelicans in Chile are often found in any place with a delicious fish.

Today, the fort is a landmark of the city and a place of rest. However, during the First War of the Pacific in the 19th century, it served as a military fortification and protection of the Bay of Coquimbo from the Spanish flotilla. The fort got its name later when in 1879 influential Carlos Lambert decided to restore the fort and gave it his name. So the whole world knows this National Historic Monument of Chile by this name.

Carlos Lambert rebuilt the fort also to protect his city against Peruvian ships. In 1879, artillery soldiers under the command of engineer Eleazar Lezaeta Acharán installed a battle cannon with ammunition.

For more than a century, Fort Lambert and its cannons have served the city of Coquimbo well. Вut time is merciless even to stone buildings. In 2003, the city council decided to restore it. Three additional towers with observation platforms, benches, and lanterns were built. An entrance portal appeared. And the entire road was repaved with stones. The grand opening of the restored fort took place in 2005.