Mexico/Campeche: Campeche – Fort of San José el Alto

High above the city of Campeche (hence the “alto” in the name), lies a beautiful little fortress named San Jose el Alto, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortified city of Campeche. The underlying hill is actually one of the highest points on the otherwise flat Yucatan peninsula, and its location right on the coast offers panoramic views of the sea (and a great defensive viewpoint). Construction on San José el Alto was finished in 1792 to protected Campeche against pirate attacks. Eventually the fort was completely abandoned, only to be restored in 1995 to all its former glory.