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ABOUT CAMPECHE:
Campeche State is located on the southwest part of the Yucatan peninsula where the coastline
with the Gulf of Mexico curves from a north-south direction to east-west. The State of Campeche is
bounded on the north and northeast by the State of Yucatan, on the west by the State of Quintana
Roo, on the south by Guatemala and Belize, on the southwest by the State of Tabasco, and on the
west and northwest by the Gulf of Mexico.
The State of Campeche has two kinds of climate: the humid warm and the sub-humid warm. The
sub-humid warm climate has periods of rain in the summer and beginning of fall over most of
territory. In the dry season or times of drought, it is characterized by the convergence of warm winds
from the east and the southwest. The humid warm climate is prevalent in the southwest part of the
state, by the Tabasco border.Campeche City is the capital of the State of Campeche. It is located
196 km southeast of Merida in the State of Yucatan by the federal highway 180, and 471 km
northeast of Villahermosa in the State of Tabasco by the federal highways 186, 261 and 180 in
Mexico.
The name of Campeche comes from the Mayan world "Ah-Kim-Pech", which means "The sirs un
jigger", but since its pronunciation was difficult for the Spanish, they called it "Kan Pech", which
means "Place of snakes and jiggers".
Campeche, founded around the third century of our era, was the principal town of the Mayan
province. By 1517, expeditionary lead by Francisco Hernandez de Cordova reached the village of
Ah-Kim-Pech to replenish their water supply, after a 4 days storm they were able to disembark at
Champoton where they were attached by the Mayan troops led by Moch Couoh. The Mayan victory
over the Spaniards became a fact, and ever since the place where the battle took place it’s called
the "bay of the bad fight". Later, in 1531, Commander Francisco de Montejo founded Salamanca de
Campeche, but failed to enter in the land. In 1540, Montejo¨s son arrived to of MayasChampoton and conquered
Kim Pech.
For the ones who would like to been born in the times when pirates conquered places and struggled many
fights, it’s definitely a good idea to isit the City of Campeche. Because the constant tension of wars, conflicts,
alliances between England, France and Holland with Spain and Portugalthe people from Campeche were forced to
fortify their city by building forts and walls from 1685 to 1704,thus preventing them from taking advantage of their
economic development.
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Places, attractions, tips and information in Campeche: City
Nowadays the bastions and remains of the wall are historical monuments, museums, gardens
and other cultural attractions
such as:
The Ancient House of the Carvajal family with Arabic arcs and flight of steps made or
marble. Currently it’s been converted into a crafts store and government offices.
The Baluarte of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Built in 1690, here you can visit the Steal
museum named Dr Roman Pina Chan, with an exhibition of 22 Mayan Sculptures
The Cathedral of the Campeche (The Church of Purisima Concepcion, of our lady
The first chapel is dated on the XVI century, and it was located on the nearest summit of the
main plaza. The actual church after our Lady of Purisima Concepcion was of Campeche
built in the XVII century. The construction was interrupted several times, but it was able to
be finished thanks to the donations of Mrs. Margarita Guerra, and it was blessed on July
4th, 1705. In 1758 the west wind tower was built, and extraconstruction was done, being
finished 4 years later. The monument was consecrated on July 25th, 1833 by the bishop of
Yucatan, Jose Maria Guerra, in 1895, the pope Leon XIII founded the bishopric of
Campeche and the temple was changed into the Campeche, now the Diocese of
Campeche.
The Main Square, where some examples of Colonial architecture can be observed
The Church of San Francisco built in the XVI century.
The San Francisco de Paulo Toro Park, where an exhibition of handicrafts from the country
is presented in December.
The Regional Museum which is known as the Casa del Teniente del Rey (House of the
Lieutenant of the King) with a collection of European weapons from the XII to XIX centuries
The Historical Hall of the Fortifications which is based on historical
explanations,reconstructions of fortifications of the old walled city with photo mountings in
color and scale models.
"Puerta del Mar" (Sea Gate) located downtown, its one of the four gates of the City; it was
used to receive and dismiss travelers and their products.
"Puerta de Tierra" (Land Gate), built in 1732. It’s considered as the main symbol of the
City. Don?t miss the light and sound show on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM.
San Jose el Alto, At the end of the 18th century various outer works were constructed
which increased the range of action from the plaza of Campeche: one of them is this
structure, which was completed August 9, 1972 by lieutenant to the king, don Jorge Sabio
deVargas, The Reduct of San Jose can be considered as a perfectly conserved project
since it contains a ditch barrel vault, cistern and gates which served to guard the outside; the
ditchwas covered was covered with stakes and quicklime. One can also see the hall
which served as a vestibule, guardroom, sleeping quarters, chapel, kitchen, warehouse for
gunpowder, a cell, merlones an embankment. loopholes and a latrine. The cistern is a
water deposit which filled from collectors which found on the highest parts of the structure
facing the interior of the central patio.
Cane of Rudder: This nautical element served to turn the rudder that governed the boat.
Wood carving finely of African black ebony is an admirable example of Florentine art (Italy)
of century XVI. In it can see a galgo can, next the piston rod adorned with leaves of a canto
with the symbol of navigation that are the dolphin and the trident of Neptune (in form of
harpoon withthree teeth); as well as the caduceus of Mercury (rod with two wings in the
endsurrounded by two snakes), emblem of La Paz, the concord, the commerce and of the
medicine. It belonged to a sailboat that comes from Europe to take diverse raw materials
asthe dye wood. The boats arrived empty and to use the voluminous volume, brought
generally as it ballast or counterbalance roofing tile of Marseilles, France and marble of
Carrara, Italy. Both materials were re taken advantage of in the construction of the houses.
The cane of Rudder was found in the Old River or Dry, which is affluent of the river River
Pelizada, Campeche, by the end of century XIX. Originally the piece belonged to Don Jose
Jesus Cervera y Armas, whose descendants deposited in the museum of Campeche
for their conservation and exhibition.
Goverment Building,
The bastion¨s terrace, The esplanades of the fortresses had several well-defined architectural
elements. The slopes of the access ramps had to allow cannons and small carts transporting
ammunition to be rolled up to the top. The ramp of the Bastion of La Soledad is sustained by
three arches; on the terrace we can see two types of parapets: the one facing the sea is low and
continuous so cannons could be moved freely to attack enemy ship approaching the city; the
lateral ones, on the other hand, had benches so that shooters could be slightly elevated
to shoot from the gun emplacements. The merlons are the solid portions of the parapet that made
it possible to take shelter between to emplacements, while the weapons were reloaded. Towers
were placed at the corners. Their walls bore embrasures -vertical openings- that afforded greater
security to the defenders. Sometimes toilets or latrines were placed in these towers.
Places to visit in Campeche State:
Edzna:
The archaeological zone of Edzna is located 61 km southeast from Campeche in the state of City
Campeche.Edzna is a Mayan name which means House of the Grimaces.The city was founded
around 600 to 300 BC as a small agricultural community. Edzna reached its most important era as
a grand regional capital between 600 and 900 AD.
Edzna is one of the most interesting Mayan cities due to the technological advances developed
there such as:
- An advanced system of hydraulic works
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- A magnificent drainage system
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- The rainwater flowed to artificial deposits called Chultunes
The ruins cover an area of three kilometers east to west and 2 kilometers south to north.
In Edzna there are two large clusters of structures: the Group of the Ceremonial and the Center
group of La Vieja.
The ceremonial center of Edzna has a central square surrounded by several structures such as:
- The Acropolis on the eastern side
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- The Large House or Nohol Na on the west
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- The platform of the Knives on the north
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- Temples on the south
Calakmul (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE)
Is the name given to site of one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever uncovered. It is located in the 1,800,000 acre
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican state of Campeche, deep in the jungles of the greater Petén
Basin region, 30 km from the Guatemalan border.
Calakmul was a major Maya superpower within the northern Peten region of the Yucatan of southern Mexico. Calakmul
administered a large domain marked by the extensive distribution of their emblem glyph of the snake head sign
(Schele and Freidel pp.456-457). Calakmul was the seat of what has been dubbed the Serpent Head Polity. This
Serpent Head polity reigned, like Tikal, during most of the Classic Maya period. Calakmul itself is estimated to
have had a population of 50,000 people and had governance, at times, to places as far away as 150 kilometers.
There are 6,750 ancient structures identified at Calakmul the largest of which is the great pyramid at the site.
The pyramid is 55 meters high, making it the tallest of the Maya pyramids. Four tombs have been located within
the pyramid. Like many temples or pyramidswithin Mesoamerica the pyramid at Calakmul increased in size by
building upon the existing temple to reach its current size .The size of the central monumental architecture is
approximately two square kilometers and the whole of the site; mostly covered with dense residential
structures is about twenty square kilometers.
Calakmul, an important Maya site set deep in the tropical forest of the Tierra’s Baja’s of southern
Mexico, played a key role in the history of this region for more than twelve centuries. Its imposing
structures and its characteristic overall layout are remarkably well preserved and give a
vivid picture of life in an ancient Maya capital. The many commemorative stelae at Calakmul are
outstanding examples of Maya art, which throw much light on the political and spiritual
development of the city. With a single site Calakmul displays an exceptionally well preserved
series of monuments and open spaces representative of Maya architectural, artistic, and urban
development over a period of twelve centuries. The political and spiritual way of life of
the Maya cities of the Tierra’s Baja’s region is admirably demonstrated by the impressive remains
of Calakmul. Calakmul is an outstanding example of a significant phase in human settlement and
the development of architecture.
Handcrafts:
In Campeche the handcrafts are made of:
- tortoiseshell
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- palm of jipi
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- wood
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- shells
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- clay and
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- porcelains ceramic
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- embroidered clothes
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- gold and silver jewelry
Gastronomy:
Campeche is famous because of its excellent gastronomy such as the bread of dogfish, and the
Nac-cum made with red snapper.
Actually the City of Campeche offers visitors numerous things to
do and has something adequate for everyone. Campeche its ideal as a base to visit its
surroundings as archaeological sites and beaches.
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