San Juan de Ulúa
Encyclopedia
San Juan de Ulúa, also known as Castle of San Juan de Ulúa is a large complex of fortresses, prisons and one former palace on an island overlooking the seaport of Veracruz, Mexico.
era, with construction starting in 1565. It was expanded several times later.
In 1569, the Spanish Navy succeeded in trapping the English fleet of Sir John Hawkins
, including the young Francis Drake
, at San Juan de Ulúa. The English barely succeeded in making their escape, a humiliating experience which affected Drake's later career.
Richard Hakluyt
's book, The Principal Navigations, Voiages, Traffiques and Discoueries of the English Nation (1598–1600), claims Drake and Hawkins were on a private venture, peacefully trading with the local colonial Spaniards in violation of Spanish law, when a Spanish naval fleet arrived. Despite suspicion of treachery, they allowed the Spaniards to take shelter under truce, between San Juan de Ulúa island, on an otherwise open coastline. They were then attacked by surprise. In fact Drake and Hawkins were perfectly capable of raiding, which they had probably done elsewhere on that voyage. The trade was in African captives, who had been taken earlier from West Africa
. But it does seem that they were trading at the time. The only real doubt is whether the colonists were doing so in case worse things should happen.
Hawkins and Drake escaped in "Minion" and "Judith", while their larger ships were taken or destroyed. The attack and subsequent hardships were instrumental in hardening the attitude of Drake in particular towards Catholicism and Spain. He had earlier been forced to live in poverty after his farming family were displaced by a Catholic rebellion.
The fortress was the last point in New Spain
to be held by Spain after the Mexican War of Independence
. It was surrendered to General Miguel Barragán
in November 1825.
For much of the nineteenth century it served as a prison
, especially for political prisoner
s. Many prominent Mexican politicians spent time here while they were not in power. Currently it is a museum.
San Juan de Ulúa is also where parts of Romancing the Stone
(1984), were filmed.
after a failed attempt at re-conquering the country.
Since then, San Juan de Ulúa would largely serve as a military and political symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign invasions and occupations, several of which took place during the nineteenth century. Finally in 1914, the last U.S. invasion, attack and occupation of the port of Veracruz took place. This earned the port and city of Veracruz the title of Heroic for the fourth time, after previously earning that same title after the 1836 French occupation, the 1848 U.S. occupation and the 1863 French occupation.
San Juan de Ulúa also served several times as the presidential palace
, housing presidents such as Benito Juárez
and Venustiano Carranza
. Among its facilities, San Juan de Ulúa also held many of Mexico's most famous prisoners at the time, mostly during the regime of President Porfirio Díaz
. It is popularly said that in order to prevent prisoners from escaping, sharks were brought to the waters surrounding the island, so that they would kill anyone attempting to escape.
History
It was built in the Spanish colonial New SpainNew Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
era, with construction starting in 1565. It was expanded several times later.
John Hawkins
Admiral Sir John Hawkins was an English shipbuilder, naval administrator and commander, merchant, navigator, and slave trader. As treasurer and controller of the Royal Navy, he rebuilt older ships and helped design the faster ships that withstood the Spanish Armada in 1588...
, including the young Francis Drake
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Elizabeth I of England awarded Drake a knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the...
, at San Juan de Ulúa. The English barely succeeded in making their escape, a humiliating experience which affected Drake's later career.
Richard Hakluyt
Richard Hakluyt
Richard Hakluyt was an English writer. He is principally remembered for his efforts in promoting and supporting the settlement of North America by the English through his works, notably Divers Voyages Touching the Discoverie of America and The Principal Navigations, Voiages, Traffiques and...
's book, The Principal Navigations, Voiages, Traffiques and Discoueries of the English Nation (1598–1600), claims Drake and Hawkins were on a private venture, peacefully trading with the local colonial Spaniards in violation of Spanish law, when a Spanish naval fleet arrived. Despite suspicion of treachery, they allowed the Spaniards to take shelter under truce, between San Juan de Ulúa island, on an otherwise open coastline. They were then attacked by surprise. In fact Drake and Hawkins were perfectly capable of raiding, which they had probably done elsewhere on that voyage. The trade was in African captives, who had been taken earlier from West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. But it does seem that they were trading at the time. The only real doubt is whether the colonists were doing so in case worse things should happen.
Hawkins and Drake escaped in "Minion" and "Judith", while their larger ships were taken or destroyed. The attack and subsequent hardships were instrumental in hardening the attitude of Drake in particular towards Catholicism and Spain. He had earlier been forced to live in poverty after his farming family were displaced by a Catholic rebellion.
The fortress was the last point in New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
to be held by Spain after the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
. It was surrendered to General Miguel Barragán
Miguel Barragán
Miguel Francisco Barragán Andrade was a Mexican general and a centralist politician. He served as Minister of War in the government of Antonio López de Santa Anna in 1833 and 1834, then as president of Mexico from January 28, 1835 to February 27, 1836.- The War of Independence and the First Empire...
in November 1825.
For much of the nineteenth century it served as a prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
, especially for political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
s. Many prominent Mexican politicians spent time here while they were not in power. Currently it is a museum.
San Juan de Ulúa is also where parts of Romancing the Stone
Romancing the Stone
Romancing the Stone is a 1984 American action-adventure romantic comedy. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it stars Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. The film was followed by a 1985 sequel, The Jewel of the Nile....
(1984), were filmed.
Post-Spanish era
After Mexico's independence in 1821, a large number of Spanish troops continued to occupy San Juan de Ulúa as late as 1825, when they were finally expelled by President Vicente GuerreroVicente Guerrero
Vicente Ramón Guerrero Saldaña was one of the leading revolutionary generals of the Mexican War of Independence, who fought against Spain for independence in the early 19th century, and served briefly as President of Mexico...
after a failed attempt at re-conquering the country.
Since then, San Juan de Ulúa would largely serve as a military and political symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign invasions and occupations, several of which took place during the nineteenth century. Finally in 1914, the last U.S. invasion, attack and occupation of the port of Veracruz took place. This earned the port and city of Veracruz the title of Heroic for the fourth time, after previously earning that same title after the 1836 French occupation, the 1848 U.S. occupation and the 1863 French occupation.
San Juan de Ulúa also served several times as the presidential palace
Presidential Palace
A Presidential Palace is the official residence of the president in some countries. However, some countries do not call the official residence of a head of state a presidential palace...
, housing presidents such as Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872...
and Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza de la Garza, was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. He ultimately became President of Mexico following the overthrow of the dictatorial Huerta regime in the summer of 1914 and during his administration the current constitution of Mexico was drafted...
. Among its facilities, San Juan de Ulúa also held many of Mexico's most famous prisoners at the time, mostly during the regime of President Porfirio Díaz
Porfirio Díaz
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was a Mexican-American War volunteer and French intervention hero, an accomplished general and the President of Mexico continuously from 1876 to 1911, with the exception of a brief term in 1876 when he left Juan N...
. It is popularly said that in order to prevent prisoners from escaping, sharks were brought to the waters surrounding the island, so that they would kill anyone attempting to escape.