Veracruz, Mexico — The Gulf Coast (North America)

Patio of the Curtain or Dry Moat

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

1. Patio of the Curtain or Dry Moat Marker

Inscription.
Patio de la cortadura o foso secoEsta explanada, que se encuentra entre el muro de las argollas y la cortadura de San Fernando, fue un foso sin agua cuya función era servir de protección en caso de invasión y ataques extranjeros. Hacia esta dirección daban las aspilleras de las bóvedas que conformaban la cortadura de San Fernando, la cual estaba provista de dieciséis cañones.

Durante la última década del siglo XIX, el Fuerte de San Juan de Ulúa fue adaptado para funcionar como "Arsenal Nacional Tres", por lo que fue sometido a numerosas modificaciones arquitectónicas. Una de ellas consistió en tapar el foso, convirtiéndose en una nave industrial comunicada con la "puerta del mar" - que también fue abierta en esta época - y con el espacio de la cortadura de San Fernando, en donde estaban ubicados los talleres del arsenal.

English translation:
Patio of the Curtain or Dry MoatThis patio, located between the Wall of the Rings and the Curtain of San Fernando, originally was a moat without water whose function was to serve as additional protection in case of invasion and foreign attacks. The vaults of the Curtain of San Fernando were equipped with sixteen guns that could fire from loopholes that looked out onto the patio.

During the last decade of the nineteenth

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century, the Fort of San Juan de Ulúa was adapted to function as "National Arsenal Three", therefore it was submitted to numerous architectural modifications. One of them was to cover the moat, which became an industrial area that opened up to the "Gate of the Sea" - which was also opened at this time - and with the area of the Curtain of San Fernando, where arsenal’s workshops were located.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.

Location. 19° 12.565′ N, 96° 7.91′ W. Marker is in Veracruz. It can be reached from Camino Escénico a San Juan de Ulúa. The marker is located roughly in the southwestern part of Fort San Juan de Ulúa, on the northern edge of the patio. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Veracruz 91700, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Gulf Coast

and in the Sierra Madre.

Globally, it is in North America,

specifically in Mesoamerica,

in a Gulf of Mexico state,

on the Ring of Fire,

and in the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

a Spanish colony,

and the Aztec Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The “Curtain” of San Fernando (a few steps from this marker); The Bastion of San Pedro (a few steps from this marker); The Wall of the Rings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Stronghold of the Spanish in Mexico (within shouting distance of this marker); The Governor's House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Bastion of San Crispin (about 90 meters away); General Miguel Barragán

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

2. Patio of the Curtain or Dry Moat Marker

In this view towards the southeast, the marker is to the left. The patio is also seen here, between the Curtain of San Fernando to the left and the Gate to the Sea to the right.

(about 90 meters away); Benito Juárez in Prison in San Juan de Ulúa (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Veracruz.

A nearby additional marker on a Mexican government meeting in 1980 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

3. A nearby additional marker on a Mexican government meeting in 1980

En este sitio se efectuo
la III reunion de la republica.
"…No es la vigencia de la
imperial la que habra de
resolver el problema de la unidad
del mundo, es la subscripcion
libre y soberana de las
naciones constituidas."
Lic. Jose Lopez Portillo
Presidente Constitucional de los
Estados Unidos Mexicanos
San Juan de Ulua, Ver., a 5 de febrero de 1980.

English translation:
In this site was held the III Reunion of the Republic.
"... It is not the validity of the imperial
that will solve the problem of unity in the world, it is the free and sovereign subscription to the constituted nations."
José López Portillo
Constitutional President of the United Mexican States
San Juan de Ulúa, Veracruz, February 5, 1980.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 10, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 11, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.