Campeche Tourist Attractions
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How to get thereFrom Mexico City, by air in about 1.5 hours; by rail a 32 hour journey via Coatzacoalcos (16 hours); by bus in about 17 hours.
La Concepción
The cathedral church of La Concepción stands on the Plaza Principal (Plaza de Independencia) which is also graced by beautiful old colonial houses. The cathedral was begun in 1540 but only completed in 1705. It has a plain Baroque façade.
Mansión Carvajal
This magnificent villa (Calle 10 No. 584) houses government offices.
Baluarte de la Soledad
Situated not far from the plaza is one of the bastions (baluartes) of the still largely intact Campeche city wall. The fort, known as the Baluarte de la Soledad, now houses the local history museum (Museo de Historia) with pictures and drawings chronicling Campeche's history, also a collection of weaponry and, in a special room, 22 Mayan sculptures.On leaving the museum, turn right into Calle 8 and proceed past the Puerta de Mar (city gate) and the modern government building (the Palacio de Gobierno, also known as the Edificio de Poderes) to the Cámara de Diputados, the State parliament. Between the latter two buildings and the road along the waterfront lies an artificial lake surrounded by modern buildings, one of which is a theatre.
Fuerte San Carlos
Calle 8 leads to Fuerte San Carlos, one of the oldest and best preserved of the city's ancient bastions, now occupied by a craft centre.
Regional Museum
A new Museo Regional (Regional Museum) has been established in the Casa del Teniente del Rey near the Puerta de Tierra. It houses archaeological finds related to the history of Campeche. They include grave goods from Calakmul, among them a superb mosaic mask.
Church of San Francisco
Situated at the intersection of Calle 59 and Calle 18, the 16th c. church of San Francisco contains five carved wooden altars painted in vermilion and white. The San Francisco monastery, somewhat further north on Miguel Alemán (Malecón) quay, is thought to stand on the site where, in 1517, the first Christian mass was held on Mexican soil. Here also Hernán Cortés' grandson Jerónimo, born in 1562, is believed to have been christened. The font is still in use.
Market
Much the best time to visit the market (mercado) is during the fiesta. Souvenirs on sale include "jipis" (Panama-style hats) and handcrafted items made from tortoise-shell, seashells and hardwoods.
Fuerte de San Miguel
A detour from the coast road on the southern outskirts of the city leads to the Fuerte de San Miguel, attractively situated overlooking Campeche. Access to the bastion - still furnished with its old cannon - is by way of a drawbridge.The interior houses a small but very interesting archaeological museum (Museo de Arqueología) with artefacts from a wide range of Mayan cultures. Especially noteworthy are the terracotta figurines from Jaína and the museum's excellent synoptic presentation of pre-Columbian civilisations.
Iglesia de San Román
In September during the feast of the Holy Cross, Catholics pay homage to the Cristo Negro (Black Christ) which is carved of ebony and rests on the main altar of the church.
Puerta de Tierra
This gate has an arch and is surrounded by Baluarte San Francisco on the north and by Baluarte San Juan on the southwest.
Reducto de San José (El Alto)
This military museum provides a scenic view of the city. Inside, there are models of the city for viewing.
Surroundings
Campeche is an ideal base to visit its surroundings which include archaeological sites and beaches.
Baluarte de San Carlos (Museo de la Ciudad)
This fortress now houses the City Museum which recounts the city's history.
Baluarte de Santiago and Jardín Botánico Xmuch'-Haltun
This fortress contains a botanical garden.
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