Plaza Héctor Pérez Martinez

The Plaza Héctor Pérez Martínez, in Campeche

The Plaza Héctor Pérez Martínez, nicknamed Concha Acústica, is an open-air amphitheatre of the San Román district, in Campeche. The Campeche audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this shell-shaped stage built in the 1960s, that naturally projects the voice and the music, and the tribute paid to Héctor Pérez Martínez, journalist, historian and governor of the State, a great cultural figure of the region.

History

Welcome to the Plaza Héctor Pérez Martínez, better known to the inhabitants under the name of Concha Acústica. We are here in the Barrio de San Román, one of the historic districts located just outside the former fortified town of Campeche. This square is an open-air amphitheatre built between 1963 and 1964, within the framework of a vast programme of modernisation of the city. Its most characteristic element is the shell-shaped stage, hence its nickname: this curved structure acts as a natural resonance chamber, projecting the voice and the music towards the public, which allows the organisation of open-air shows without much amplification. The square bears the name of Héctor Pérez Martínez, born in 1906, who was at once journalist, historian, writer and governor of the State of Campeche between 1939 and 1943; he contributed actively to the cultural and educational development of the region before becoming secretary of the Interior of Mexico, and a rather original monument pays tribute to him here. Since its construction, the Concha Acústica has become one of the main open-air cultural places of the city, hosting concerts, theatre, civic events and festivals. During the Festival Internacional del Centro Histórico de Campeche, that is held every year in December, the stage offers numerous free shows.

What to see

Here you discover, in the San Román district, an open-air amphitheatre of the 1960s whose shell-shaped stage, the Concha Acústica, naturally projects the sound towards the public; the square honours Héctor Pérez Martínez, journalist, historian and governor, and hosts concerts, theatre and festivals, notably in December. The Concha Acústica is a great cultural place of Campeche. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Plaza Héctor Pérez Martínez, or Concha Acústica, lies in the Barrio de San Román, just outside the former fortified town of Campeche, reachable on foot. It is a space in free access; the programme of shows varies according to the cultural calendar. It is best to enquire before coming.

Why is the square of San Román called Concha Acústica?

Because of its shell-shaped stage, built between 1963 and 1964, that acts as a natural resonance chamber projecting the voice and the music towards the public without much amplification; this open-air amphitheatre bears the name of Héctor Pérez Martínez, journalist, historian and governor of the State, and remains a great cultural place of Campeche.

Where is the Concha Acústica in Campeche?

In the Barrio de San Román, just outside the former fortified town of Campeche, in Mexico.