As early as 1540, the Spaniards founded their city on the remains of the existing Mayan settlement of Kimpech or Canpech. After numerous raids by buccaneers and pirates such as Francis Drake or Henry Morgan, the harbor town has been fitted with a closed ring of fortifications, known as Baluartes, since 1686. Four city gates formed the only accesses to the historic city center. (more…)