… The city of Campeche was one of the favorite targets of pirates and filibusters.
The forts and bastions witnessed the intensity with which these buccaneers plundered the city as part of a complex maritime economic system where France and England were the main beneficiaries. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Spanish galleons loaded with gold, silver, fine woods, bird feathers, wax, cotton and logwood sailed the Atlantic. Spain had earned a papal document that gave it the privilege of usufruct and dominion of the entire continent, but France and England, although they were economic powers, were outside the treaty, so they decided to seize the loot in some way.
Between the old and the new continent was the busy Atlantic Ocean and in its waters, pirate ships waited to intercept the Spanish galleons and take the riches in an “easy” way. Over time, pirates became a society of sailors and navigators organized by the enemies of Spain, who with skill and rude strategies attacked galleons on the high seas, and later, plundered ports, including Campeche, leaving behind history, architecture, social and civil customs. Their battles are still mixed with stories that amaze the imagination of those who visit this beautiful walled city.
Once the assault was over and they returned to their country of origin, the pirates were accountable to their king and were rewarded with a percentage of the loot delivered. Some of them even held positions in the nobility thanks to their fruitful talents.
On several occasions, the help of the crown was required to stop the continuous attacks on the city of Campeche, but it was not until 1686 when the first stone of what would become its great wall was laid. This work, completed in 1704, protected the city and prevented new pirate attacks.https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/piratas-en-campeche.html
