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The origin of San Juan de Ulúa is linked to the founding of Villa Rica de Vera Cruz on April 22, 1519, by the Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés. The name of San Juan was named after the captain of the farm, Juan de Grijalva, and Ulúa resulted from a misunderstanding on the part of the Spaniards who, upon reaching the islet, found two bodies of slaughtered boys. They asked an indigenous person the reason for this sacrifice, and he answered “Culúa” (or welcoming, the inhabitants of the place), but the Spaniards could not pronounce and also thought he was referring to the place.



This stronghold was built in the mid-16th century to protect the mooring of ships from bad weather and to prevent attacks by pirates and filibusters, but over the years its walls have witnessed numerous historical events filled with glory, shadow and mysteries that also gave rise to numerous legends.



After the consummation of independence, the island and castle remained in the hands of the Spaniards, who occasionally bombarded grounded government forces. On November 18, 1825, four years later, the Spanish garrison ended up capitulating. In 1838 he served against the French Navy in the so-called "War of the Cakes".



In 1847 it was surrounded by American troops, later became a dreaded high-security prison until in 1915, President Venustiano Carranza issued a decree that made it a presidential residence. Since November 1984, it is a museum, except for one of the bastions that is occupied by the Mexican Navy.







San Juan de Ulua Island, CP 91700, Veracruz, Veracruz. Phone: 01 (229) 938 5151





Every night in the northern part of the Malecón de Veracruz, the fortress is full of colors thanks to a lighting system that reaffirms its majesty.

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