Day 4 1/14/2024
Campeche, MX
Frank's Trip
CLICK on any image to enlarge - use mouse cursor to move enlargement it if doesn't fit area
Campeche is a World Heritage City...
The city of Campeche was founded in 1540 by Spanish conquistadors as San Francisco de Campeche atop the pre-existing Maya city of Canpech or Kimpech. Originally, the Spaniards lived inside the walled city, while the natives lived in the surrounding barrios of San Francisco, Guadalupe and San Román. These barrios still retain their original churches.
Campeche is one of the oldest colonial cities In Mexico
Campeche was founded almost 60 years before the English arrived permanently on the shores of North America. It was founded in 1540 - only 19 years after the overthrow of the Aztec Empire.
Fuerte de San Miguel
This fort was built in the 18th century with the purpose to reinforce the defense of the city against the pirates’ attacks since the fortified walls were not enough. Its rooftop used to have 20 cannons some of which are still there for visitors to see.
Inside the Fuerte de San Miguel,there is a small museum of archeology where one can admire a few stele and other vestiges found in the Calakmul and Becan archeological sites.
A distance away at the other end of the defensive wall is Fuerte de San Jose. I didn't visit it.
Constructive Offerings
The constructive offerings served to commemorate the inauguration of a building, a monument, or the closing of a construction that would be covered by a new building. Probably the rituals of deposit were public. They placed flint or obsidian tools, vases and bowls with food or shell and snail beads.
Plaza Mayor - Independence Square
Although the exact date of when the Plaza de la Independencia was built is not known, it was likely to have been late in 1540 or early in 1541, with the founding of the town of San Francisco de Campeche. This square became the center of the Spanish population that was settled within a mile or so of the indigenous village of Ah Kin Pech.
During the colonial era, it was known as Plaza Mayor, then later called the Plaza of the Constitution, and finally in 1826 it was called Plaza de la Independencia.
Centro Cultural Casa No 6
Despite the odd name, this building is a great example of Campeche architecture in colonial times
The Campeche Cathedral
This is one of the monumental jewels of the city of San Francisco de Campeche, as well as of the Yucatan Peninsula. People built this Baroque treasure with neoclassical features between 1650 and 1760. They mainly used carved stone used for its construction.
One of the many beautiful churches in Campeche, Mexico. Brings you back in time. Iglesia del Dulce Nombre de Jesus. This church was originally established to administer the sacrament to the indigenous, mulatto, mestizo and black population of Campeche in the 16th century. In June 1685 the church was partially burned down during a city-wide pirate attack. It was later restored.
El Navegante Hotel
Right in the heart of the historic district is where I stayed at Hotel El Navegante. Definitely not the Wyndham but loved the location and the people who work there were great.
