Más allá de las murallas: el sistema defensivo de Campeche durante el régimen de los Austrias

Abstract

San Francisco de Campeche is now the only city in Mexico, and one of a few cities in the world that retained much of its defensive system. Towards the end of the period of Spanish rule it was built as a fortification system with an outer wall and gun emplacements (baterías). Its military architecture was determined by the presence of pirates on its coasts that had attacked 18 times and endured twelve enemy landings. However, the fortification process was slow and military architecture was not the only defensive policy of Spanish imperial system and maritime defense. Diplomatic efforts, determination to apply legal or religious penalties, militia and flotillas also formed part of the defensive strategy of the Spanish Crown.