Veracruz in Municipality of Veracruz, Mexico — The Gulf Coast

The Prison of San Juan de Ulúa

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

1. The Prison of San Juan de Ulúa Marker

Inscription.
La prisión de San Juan de UlúaLos presidios eran construcciones de avanzada militar ubicados en las zonas limítrofes del territorio de la Nueva España; se utilizaban para proteger a las poblaciones de enemigos extranjeros o de indígenas rebeldes. Al principio, fueron habitados por soldados pero, debido a las condiciones inhóspitas en estos lugares, el gobierno virreinal recurrió al reclutamiento forzoso.

En el siglo XIX, esta cárcel albergó bajo sus muros tanto a criminales y cautivos de guerra, como a sospechosos de brujería o judaísmo, opositores políticos, liberales, periodistas e intelectuales críticos del gobierno en turno. Los condenados eran encerrados en "las tinajas", calabozos húmedos y oscuros con filtraciones salitrosas, donde mermaba rápidamente la salud.

Entre los hombres que lucharon por la independencia de México y que por ello estuvieron presos en San Juan de Ulúa encontramos a fray Melchor de Talamantes, Mariano Michelena, Carlos María de Bustamante y Servando Teresa de Mier. Algunos de los liberales más destacados del siglo XIX también fueron encarcelados aquí, como Benito Juárez, Melchor Ocampo, Manuel Payno y Porfirio Díaz. En 1906 y 1907 algunos huelguistas de Cananea y Río Blanco fueron remitidos a San Juan para purgar una condena; lo mismo sucedió con periodistas, obreros

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

2. The Prison of San Juan de Ulúa Marker

y revolucionarios a partir de 1910. El 2 de julio de 1915, Venustiano Carranza suprimió por decreto presidencial la cárcel de San Juan de Ulúa.

English translation:
The Prison of San Juan de Ulúa Prisons in the colonial period were military constructions located in the zones bordering the territory of the New Spain. They were used to protect the population from foreign enemies or rebel natives. At first they were inhabited by soldiers but, due to the inhospitable conditions in these places, the viceroyal government resorted to forced recruitment of soldiers.

In the 19th century, this prison housed under its walls criminals, prisoners of war, those suspected of witchcraft or Judaism, political opponents, liberals, journalists and intellectuals critical of the current government. The convicts were locked up in "las tinajas", dark and damp dungeons with leaks of salty water, where it was difficult for the prisoners to maintain their health.

Among the men who fought for the independence of Mexico and who were imprisoned in San Juan de Ulúa were Friar Melchor de Talamantes, Mariano Michelena, Carlos Maria de Bustamante and Servando Teresa de Mier. Some of the most prominent liberals of the nineteenth century were also imprisoned here, such as Benito Juárez, Melchor Ocampo, Manuel Payno and Porfirio Díaz. In 1906 and 1907

Former prison cells at Fort San Juan de Ulúa image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

3. Former prison cells at Fort San Juan de Ulúa

some labor protesters from Cananea and Río Blanco were imprisoned in San Juan. This also happened with journalists, workers and revolutionaries from 1910. On July 2, 1915, Venustiano Carranza, by presidential decree, closed the jail at San Juan de Ulúa.

Location. 19° 12.601′ N, 96° 7.85′ W. Marker is in Veracruz, Veracruz, in Municipality of Veracruz. Touch for map. The marker is just inside one of the vaulted rooms previously used as a jail cell at San Juan de Ulúa. Marker is in this post office area: Veracruz 91700, Mexico.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Benito Juárez in Prison in San Juan de Ulúa (a few steps from this marker); General Miguel Barragán (within shouting distance of this marker); The Governor's House (within shouting distance of this marker); The “Curtain” of San Fernando (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Fort San Juan de Ulúa (about 120 meters away); Patio of the Curtain or Dry Moat (about 120 meters away); The Last Stronghold of the Spanish in Mexico (about 120 meters away); The Bastion of San Crispin (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Veracruz.

Categories. • Forts, Castles • Labor Unions • Man-Made Features • Patriots & Patriotism •

An additional nearby marker on the Revelin of San José image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

4. An additional nearby marker on the Revelin of San José

Revellín de San José
El revellín de San José fue ideado por el ingeniero Agustín López de la Cámara Alta en 1762. Sin embargo, Manuel de Santistevan, Ingeniero Director de Fortificaciones en la Nueva España durante veintidós años, ejecutó el proyecto a partir de 1768.

Construido sobre el arrecife La Gallega, el revellín formó parte de la retaguardia del fuerte. De apariencia triangular, contó con doce bóvedas a prueba de bombas con dieciséis cañones, dos aljibes, foso inundado y un puente levadizo que lo unía con el resto de la fortaleza. Además, tenía un pasillo que comunicaba con siete de las bóvedas destinadas para almacenes de víveres y pólvora, una escalera y una rampa que conduce a las baterías altas.

Debido a la humedad que había en esta estructura, dejó de emplearse como almacén de pólvora y se destinó a cárcel. Aquí se encontraban los famosos calabozos de San Juan de Ulúa, mejor conocidos como "las tinajas”.

English translation:
The Revelin of San José The Revelin de San José was first proposed by the engineer Agustín López de la Cámara Alta in 1762. However, it was Manuel de Santistevan, Engineer Director of Fortifications for New Spain for twenty-two years, who finally executed the project starting in 1768.

The Revelin was built on a reef originally known as La Gallega. It was formed as part of the rear of the fort. Triangular in appearance, it had twelve bomb-proof vaults with sixteen guns, two wells, a moat that could be flooded and a drawbridge linking it with the rest of the fort. In addition, it had a corridor that communicated with seven of the vaults that were destined for the storage of provisions and gunpowder, a staircase and a ramp leading to the artillery batteries.

Due to the humidity in this structure, it stopped being used as a storage area for gunpowder and was turned into a jail. Here were the famous dungeons of San Juan de Ulúa, better known as "las tinajas", or “the water jugs”, because of their humidity.

Cell of Chucho el Roto image. Click for full size.

By J. Makali Bruton, March 23, 2017

5. Cell of Chucho el Roto

Legends says that this was the prison cell of "Chucho el Roto", one of Mexico's most famous bandits, at San Juan de Ulúa.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2017. This page originally submitted on June 11, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 11, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico.