History of Campeche

As we make our way toward the fortified center, let’s take a moment to look back at the history of Campeche. The city was founded in 1540 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo on the site of an ancient Maya settlement called Ah Kin Pech. Thanks to its strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico, Campeche quickly grew into an important commercial port. One of its most valuable exports was dyewood, which was highly prized in Europe. But this prosperity also drew unwanted attention. For more than a century, the city was repeatedly attacked by pirates and privateers from England, France, and the Netherlands. These constant raids eventually forced the Spanish authorities to take action. Beginning in 1686, the Spanish crown ordered the city to be fortified. A massive wall was built around the urban center, reinforced with eight defensive bastions and several gates, including the Puerta de Mar and the Puerta de Tierra. This system became one of the most impressive colonial fortifications in Mexico. In the 18th century, once the pirate threat had largely been pushed back, Campeche entered a period of prosperity. Wealthy merchants and hacienda owners built large colonial homes with colorful façades and wrought-iron balconies, giving the historic center much of the character you still see today. The 19th century brought a more turbulent period, marked by political conflicts and economic change, but it also saw the creation of new cultural landmarks, including the construction of the city’s theater. Then, in the 20th century, after a time of economic decline, major efforts were launched to preserve Campeche’s historic heritage. Thanks to this work, the old city is now remarkably well preserved and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Today, Campeche is a calm and colorful city where you can still walk along the old walls, admire its bastions, and wander through its charming colonial streets.