San Juan de Ulúa Fort

Veracruz, Mexico
1535--1786
Spanish domination of Mexico began--and ended--at this fort. The island site was first discovered in 1518 by the adventurer Juan de Grijalva and construction began in 1535 on what became one of the most secure and technologically advanced forts in the New World. It was the first port in the Americas, serving as both the entry point for Christian missionaries and an important link in the West Indies coastal defense system. During the eighteenth century, the fort served as the greatest repository for riches imported from Europe, which subjected it to repeated attacks. With its capture in 1825 by Sainz de Barada, Spanish rule ended. Significant portions of the original masonry fort remain, including bulwarks, towers, parade grounds, a cemetery, dungeons, and the governor's palace. But most of the structure suffers from severe deterioration, largely a result of its sandy site in a highly polluted harbor. Settling has caused fractures, and waves created by passing tankers continue to erode foundations. Since 1996 Watch listing, significant funds for restoration have been secured, but the scale of work exceeds available resources.

Listed in 1996