Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe

The Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe are two stone structures crowning a hill above Puebla, marked by thick defensive walls and angular bastions. They house a museum where visitors find weapons, uniforms, and documents that trace military history from the 1800s.

Built as defensive structures in the early 1800s, these forts gained their greatest significance when Mexican troops repelled a French invasion on May 5, 1862, under General Ignacio Zaragoza. That victory transformed the site into a symbol of national resistance.

The forts hold deep meaning for people as places where their country stood firm against invasion. Visitors can feel how locals take pride in what happened here and how this site remains central to Mexican identity.

The climb is steep, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for a steady walk uphill. The views from the top are rewarding, and there are viewpoints where the city spreads below you clearly.

Before becoming military strongholds, these locations originally served as chapels and places of worship in the 1600s. Their transformation from religious spaces into defensive positions tells a story of how the city adapted its landscape to changing needs.