City Museum, San Carlos Bastion

The San Carlos Bastion was not only the first structure of Campeche’s defensive system—it also marked the beginning of the famous walled city, built to protect against constant pirate attacks during the 17th and 18th centuries.

This solid 840-square-meter building is now home to the City Museum, founded on January 1, 1989. Inside, it preserves a valuable collection of colonial-era objects, including cannons, armor, maps, and ancient documents that trace the social and military development of San Francisco de Campeche.

One of its unique features is the interior vault that once functioned as a prison, known as el pulguero, where prisoners were confined in tight and rustic conditions. Today, it forms part of the museum exhibition.

Visiting this museum means connecting with Campeche’s living history, in the very place where the first steps were taken toward the city that is now a World Heritage Site.