Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, Military fortifications in Puebla, Mexico.

The Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe stand on the hill of Acueyametepec in northeastern Puebla. Loreto has circular bastions and no moat; Guadalupe has two small bastions and a redoubt covering its entrance. The two forts are 928 meters apart in a straight line. Loreto's site museum displays weapons, uniforms and documents from the 1862 battle and the siege of 1863.

The hill's chapels were converted into forts in the early 19th century: Loreto was fortified from 1810, Guadalupe was built as a fortín on 27 September 1813, and in 1816 intendant Ciriaco del Llano ordered stone walls with lime render around both temples. On 5 May 1862, under Ignacio Zaragoza, Mexican troops repelled the French attack here; the following year a larger French force bombarded the forts into ruins.

The hill was long known as the Cerro de Belén after the Bethlehemite fathers who took over the former San Cristóbal temple. Today the Zona Histórica de los Forts also holds the Museo Regional del INAH, the Auditorio de la Reforma and the Casa Puebla, and a monument beside the site keeps the remains of General Ignacio Zaragoza and his wife Rafael Padilla.

The two forts sit 928 metres apart on the hill, so plan to walk between them. Loreto has circular bastions and no moat; Guadalupe has two small bastions and a redoubt covering its entrance. The site also holds the Museo de Guerra, the Regional Museum of INAH, the Auditorio de la Reforma and Casa Puebla.

The two forts stand 928 metres apart in a straight line. Loreto has circular bastions and no moat, while Guadalupe has only two small bastions and a redoubt covering its entrance. The hill was quarried for stone used in building Puebla Cathedral.