Baluarte de San Carlos

The Baluarte de San Carlos, in Campeche

The Baluarte de San Carlos is the first bastion built in the defensive system of Campeche, dedicated to King Carlos II of Spain. The Campeche audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this pentagonal work with thick walls, unique by its lateral ramp, that shelters today the Museo de la Ciudad and preserves the title of city granted by King Carlos III in 1777, as well as precious colonial objects.

History

The Baluarte de San Carlos is the first bastion built in the defensive system of Campeche. Dedicated to King Carlos II of Spain, it presents a pentagonal architecture with walls two and a half metres thick, conceived to resist cannonballs. It is the only bastion accessible by a lateral ramp, which made it unique among the eight bastions of the city. It shelters today the Museo de la Ciudad, the Museum of the City, founded in 1989, whose five exhibition rooms retrace the history of Campeche. Among its most precious pieces figure the title of city granted by King Carlos III in 1777, a replica of a ship's figurehead and various objects of the colonial era. The basement of the bastion, known under the name of "El Pulguero", once sheltered a prison, and local legends evoke secret tunnels linking the various bastions of the city.

What to see

Here you visit the first bastion of the fortifications of Campeche, dedicated to King Carlos II, with its pentagonal architecture with thick walls and unique lateral ramp; it shelters the Museo de la Ciudad, founded in 1989, that retraces the history of the city and preserves the title of city of 1777, while its basement "El Pulguero" was once a prison. The Baluarte de San Carlos keeps the defensive memory of Campeche. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Baluarte de San Carlos stands in the historic centre of Campeche, reachable on foot; it shelters the Museo de la Ciudad. The access and the hours follow the conditions in force, which vary. It is best to enquire before coming.

What does the Baluarte de San Carlos shelter in Campeche?

The first bastion of the fortifications of the city, dedicated to King Carlos II, it shelters the Museo de la Ciudad, founded in 1989, whose five rooms retrace the history of Campeche; there is preserved the title of city granted by Carlos III in 1777 and colonial objects, and its basement "El Pulguero" once served as a prison.

Where is the Baluarte de San Carlos in Campeche?

In the historic centre of Campeche, in Mexico.