Fort of San Felipe, History

In 1733 an expedition under the command of major-general Antonio de Figueroa, field marshall of Yucatán, recovers Spanish control over Bacalar, until then in the hands of the rebel Indians and sporadically in the hands of pirates. This expedition seeks to establish a military post to avert the excessive felling of woods in its territory and to expel the pirates, smugglers of Campeche wood.

With some settlers from the Canary Isles, Figueroa starts the reconstruction of Bacalar and builds the Fort of San Felipe for its defense. At the end of the 18th century Bacalar maintains its military importance and once again starts to become a trade center of local importance.

Improvements made to the fort in the 18th century

The Fort of San Felipe, which started to be constructed in 1733, creates a bastion against the attacks from pirates and smugglers of Campeche wood. The moat which surrounds it and the sharp-pointed stakes that were placed at the bottom of it in the 18th century, made it almost impossible to get round its walls.

The bridge which creates the only access and which is now made of stone, was, in that period, a wooden drawbridge. Around 1776 the fort had 24 cannons measuring from one to six inches in caliber, which are found distributed in the bulwarks and on the roof of the garrison.

For more than four decades after its construction modifications were made to the building, especially to improve its defense systems. In 1760 the bulwarks are reinforced to support the weight of various cannons with an 18 inch caliber. In 1766 a small room is built that later became the watchtower. In plans from different dates the design of the Fort can be appreciated, as well as plans for improvement that were never carried out.

In the 20th century various restorations and refurbishments are carried out which change some of the original characteristics.