Baluarte de San Juan, Colonial bastion in San Francisco de Campeche, Mexico.
The Baluarte de San Juan is a bastion in San Francisco de Campeche, built in the 17th and 18th centuries and finished around 1698. Its layout resembles that of the Baluarte de Santa Rosa, with a gorge, a well curb and a ramp leading to the roof, where overhanging bartizans stand and a bell tower sits beside one of them. It is one of the few bastions still joined to a city wall.
The fourth bastion built in Campeche, San Juan was finished around 1698, spanning the 17th and 18th centuries, to guard and defend the Puerta de Tierra. Its construction resembled that of the Baluarte de Santa Rosa. It is now one of the few bastions still joined to a stretch of the city wall.
The bastion's name honours San Juan de Dios, founder of the Juanitos order, which cared for sick and injured navigators. The building later served as a dwelling, which is why it shows serious deterioration today. It is one of the few bastions still joined to a stretch of the city wall.
The site sits near Puerta de la Tierra and provides easy access from there. Wear sturdy footwear since the stone ramparts can be uneven and require careful footing.
On the roof, beside one of the overhanging bartizans, stands a bell tower (campanario), a feature the bastion shares with the layout of the Baluarte de Santa Rosa. The bastion was later used as a dwelling, which caused serious deterioration.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,830 contributors worldwide.