The Museum of Maya Archaeology is housed within the majestic San Miguel Fort. An iconic symbol of the city, and likely the entire state of Campeche, the Fort was built in the 18th century as part of the city\'s defensive system and remains both a symbol of the city and its illustrious past. The stone walls today protect a vast collection of Maya artifacts recovered all across the region of Campeche.
The fort provides long-range artillery coverage that was vital for warding off the pirates who\'d frequently sacked the city prior to to the fort\'s construction. It also served as a prominent look-out for seeing who might be approaching from the Gulf of Mexico.
Today the museums collection includes important ceremonial sculpture, stone ruins, and other artifacts who\'d long inhabited the area. Monoliths, stelae, and architectural elements come from as far away as Calakmul, Edzná, and Río Bec, all of them ancient and fascinating places. Every gallery reveals fragments of the life, spirituality and cosmic vision of the Maya civilization.
But many visitors will arrive just for the chance at those incredible views across the water. Panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico are better here than nearly anywhere else in the city.
