This small fortress was built in 1635 to defend the city from pirates, this is what remains of the wall and forts of Veracruz.

The colonial-era bulwark is impressively solid from the outside, with cannons pointed toward long-gone marauders. It is the only one that has been preserved out of the nine that existed in the city walls.

This building has witnessed three occasions when the city of Veracruz was named "heroic": first, when the last Spanish forces were evacuated in 1825. Second, when the port was attacked by French forces in 1838. And third, during the attack by American forces in 1847.

The construction has an irregular heptagonal shape and a long ramp at the entrance where you can see the construction materials such as rock and coral reef.

Since 1991, it has been converted into a museum and declared a historical heritage by the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History).

The museum showcases interesting models illustrating the urban development of Veracruz from the colonial era to the present day. The extension of the ancient city walls that surrounded the city is highlighted.

It exhibits over 100 pieces from a collection of pre-Hispanic jewelry called "Las Joyas del Pescador or de Quetzalcoatl," which were found in the Gulf of Mexico and is the most important pre-Hispanic collection of gold jewelry in Mexico. Notable pieces include the chimalli or shield adorned with spears and bells, monkey-shaped bracelets, snake-shaped necklace beads, and turtle head earrings, among others.

It also features an exhibition of jewelry from the viceregal period made using the lost wax technique.

There is a room displaying lithographs of Veracruz from the colonial era and 19th-century images, as well as weapons and a marble quarry sillar.