Description of the attraction
Fort San Diego was built at the very beginning of the 17th century and served as a defense against Spanish merchant ships. Construction lasted for two years from 1615 to 1617. In the role of an unshakable stronghold, the fort existed until the 19th century. In our time, its detailed restoration has been undertaken by the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
The fort is a huge pentagonal star in plan. The project was carried out by Adrian Bout, who had previously successfully built Fort San Juan de Ulua in Veracruz. From here, loaded galleons left for Europe.
Jose Maria Morelos, leader of the War of Independence, captured the fort in 1813. They say that it was then that he said his famous phrase "Long live Spain, sister, but not the ruler of America!".
In the 1850s, Fort San Diego was badly damaged by an earthquake. After the building was restored, the engineering and architectural features were preserved. Today it is the oldest architectural structure in the territory of Acapulco.
Today it houses the Acapulco City Historical Museum. Among the exhibits are household items, ornaments that tell about the life of local aborigines who lived here before the Spanish era. In addition, here you can see a collection of documents that testify to trade relations with Asia, as well as various weapons with which the fort was defended. The largest exhibit is, of course, a Spanish galleon of the eighteenth century. This giant with a displacement of more than two thousand tons was equipped with all kinds of defensive devices.
Today Fort San Diego is one of the main attractions of Acapulco, attracting tourists from all over the world.
