It is a historic fortified city on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is renowned as one of the few walled cities in America and the only one in Mexico. One of the reasons it was declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1999 is the excellent condition of its historical heritage. The original Mayan settlement was called KaanPeech (In Mayan language: Kaan = snake, Peech = tick, which means: the place of snakes and ticks). When the Spanish arrived, they Hispanicized it to Campeche. After their arrival, the city became the largest port of colonial America, bringing an intense commercial traffic and subsequent construction of mansions and churches. However, the same wealth that allowed it to flourish attracted the attention of pirates whose expeditions not only led to endless stories, but that led to the lifting of impregnable fortifications that distinguish today’s place. more…