Travelers Guide to Campeche

CAMPECHE AND IT'S HISTORY

Campeche used to be the principal town of the Mayan province of Ah Kin Pech, which means ‘serpent tick’.

Can Pech was founded around the 3^rd century of our era. On March 22, 1517 expeditionaries commanded by Francisco Hernandez de Cordova reached the village of Kin Pech, to replenish their water supply. With fear of being attacked by the native population they quickly left. A few days later the Europeans got into a 4 day storm at sea after which they were able to disembark in Champoton (65 km south of the city of Campeche) where they were attacked by native troops led by Moch Couoh. 

The triumph of the Mayan forces over the Spaniards was obvious. Hernandez de Cordova was so badly wounded that he died of his wounds a few days later. The battleground near Champoton were this all happened has been called ‘the bay of the bad fight' ever since...

In 1527 commander Francisco de Montejo failed to enter the land of the campechanos, and the same thing happened later to his son in Kin Pech. In 1537 Francisco de Montejo, the younger, returned to Champoton and again there were fights between Mayas and Conquistadors. On December 24, 1540 Montejo (son) arrived in Champoton this time determined to conquer. From then on he won Kin Pech and Acanul and on the 4^th of October 1541 Fransisco Montejo founded the Villa de San Francisco de Campeche... later he also won Tenabo, Hecelchakan and Calkini.

For all of us who are still thinking we should have been born some hundreds of years ago, in the time when pirates conquered places and struggled many a fight... it's definitely a good idea to visit the City of Campeche. From 1557 this town was scourged by pirate attacks. By then Campeche had become one of the main ports of New Spain, channeling a large number of Yucatecan products.

The constructions build to defend the city, and the local inhabitants were unable to undergo the constant tension of wars, conflicts and alliances between England, France and Holland with Spain and Portugal. As a result of this situation they were prevented from really taking advantage of their economic boom and were obligated to fortify their city.

Construction began on January 3 1685, and was concluded in 1704.                                                                                                                              

PLACES AT INTEREST IN THE CITY AT CAMPECHE

San Carlos Bulwark

This was one of the first bulwarks ever to be built and was named after the Carlos II, King of Spain. In 1766, the fort confronted approaching enemies on the most vulnerable side of the city with 12 cannons. The San Carlos Bulwark still conserves the rooms used for the guards and the prison; also the storing room has been kept intact. 

Nowadays the Bulwark hosts the City museum. Besides getting a really good idea of the role the forts played in the history of Campeche you will also be able to see the Key of the City there, a very important symbol for the city of Campeche. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 8.00 to 20.00 and Sunday from 9.00 to 13.00.  

Hacienda Maria Bonita  Hotel Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

The Landgate

The inland gate was built in 1732 and is without any doubt one of the main symbols of the city of Campeche. Almost all its original elements have been conserved like gun emplacements, gunpowder stores, loopholes etc. 

Three roads let out from the inland gate, two pass by the Guadalupe and San Roman forts, the third one to the Santa Ana neighborhood from where it leads to the landscape of the inland estates. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 8.00 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 21.00, Sunday from 8.00 to 14.00. A light and sound show is being held here every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 20.30, Also available for groups. For more information pass by the Casa 6 on the central square.

Enjoy Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

The fort of San Miguel

Besides a wall that surrounded Campeche, the city was also protected by and outer defense system. This made Campeche one of the best defended cities at the end of the XVIII century. One of the forts is called San Miguel and nowadays houses the Campeche Regional Museum, where you can find an exhibition of pre-Hispanic and colonial pieces. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 8.00 to 20.00 and Sunday from 8.00 to 15.00.

Paamul Caribbean Paradise, Riviera Maya Q. Roo México

The fort of San Jose el Alto

A second fort which was part of the outer defense system, is called San Jose El Alto. In 1762 while Campeche was not facing any pirate attacks anymore this fort was built to protect the campechan port against the greatest naval power on earth, England. At the moment the fort hosts a very nice exposition of ‘Boats and arms’. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 to 20:00.

Botanical Garden (Santiago Bulwark)

This reconstructed Bulwark is nowadays home to a small botanical garden, which contains more than two hundred plant species. For example the Ceiba, Campeachy wood and Balche trees that are very significant for the region. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 9.00 AM to 20.00 PM.  

MORE. . . . . 

Travelers Guide to Campeche
Main Menu