San Juan de Ulúa

The history of this building is linked to the history of Veracruz, because from its beginnings it has been a player in many important events. From the arrival of the Spanish in 1518, the island was named by Juan Girjalva who arrived on the day of Saint John the Baptist, thus the origin of its name.

The construction of the building was carried out in the 16th. and 18th centuries, for the most part using corral rocks from the surrounding reefs because of a lack of stone in the region.

Over the years its function of protecting fort became combined with that of troop barracks, presidential palace and prison for personalities such as the legendary Chucho el Roto and important figures of Mexican history such as Friar Servando Teresa de Mier and Mariano Abasolo.
A visit to this colonial fort takes us back in time and allows us to understand a little about the history of this beautiful port.

Open from 9:00 to 4:30, closed Mondays