Campeche City is the capital of the state. It has maintained its original stroke from the 16th century, and it has carefully conserved their inherited architectural style from the colonial times. The 1st of December of 1999, Campeche was declared by the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Spanish settlement took place in October 4, 1540 where Francisco de Montejo sailed from Cuba to the Yucatan Peninsula under the name of San Francisco de Campeche.
Its privileged location was recognized by the privateers and pirates. In 1557 a group of ships attacked for the first time the “Costa de la villa”, place were the piracy movement originated and the controlled activities mainly by France, England and Holland who were quarreling over the control of the new word. Many fights took place during this period with famous pirates like Sir Francis Drake and William Parker. This lead the Spanish crown to seriously reconsider the construction of a new safeguarding system.
In the middle of the 18th century the piracy movement slowly decreased, consequently a possible invasion from England lead to the reinforcement of costal defenses.
Now days the City of Campeche has three types of Architectural styles: civilian, religious and military. Fortunately most of this heritage has been well preserved through time. This has lead to greater appreciation and rediscovery of the City, its past, and its architecture, transforming the town into an attractive cultural destination with a great touristic potential.
The great cultural and natural richness of the town empowers it to have an internationally known gastronomy, Mayan and Spanish inherited plates represent one of our main attractions combined with the beauty of the sea and the country side.
At the consolidation of the conquest in 1540 the main square is formally traced and it becomes the center of celebrations, military exercises and the axis of colonial life. Along with the essence of political and religious power, all life took place at this square. The square had a pillory like the ones placed in Spanish crown villas, the symbolic element consisted of a column of stone crowned with a cross or ball of stone, with those the civil authority publically punished the offenders. The last pillory was destroyed in 1813. Under the new air of independence a new nation was born.
Goes through down town, the malecon (seafront), and the traditional barrios or neighbourhoods in Campeche. Duration: 1 hour approximately.
Time and travel distance
From Mexico City 1132 km, 14 hours approx. From Merida 166 km, 2 hours approx. From Cancun 480 km, 5:30 hours approx. From Chetumal 369 km, 5 hours approx. From Villahermosa 382 km, 4:40 hours approx. From Palenque 361 km, 4:30 hours approx.
Trasportation
Autobuses de Oriete A.D.O Av. Patricio Trueba y Regli x av. Casa de Justicia s/n Tels (981) 81 1 99 10/ 8133345 www.ado.com.mx
Campeche and the southeast coast of Mexico posses a warm-humid weather with a yearly temperature of 37 degrees. It is advisable to bring comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring enough water.
