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'San Juan de Ulúa' is a large fortress on an island overlooking the seaport of Veracruz, Mexico. It was built in the Spanish colonial era, starting in 1565. It was expanded several times later.
In 1569, Spanish Navy succeeded in trapping at San Juan de Ulúa the raiding English fleet of Sir John Hawkins, including the young Francis Drake; the English barely suceeded in making their escape, a humiliating experience which effected Drake's later career.
The fortress was the last point in New Spain to be held by Spain, after the Mexican War of Independence. It surrendered to General Miguel Barragán in November 1825.
For much of the nineteenth century it served as a prison, especially for political prisoners. Many prominent Mexican politicians spent time here while they were not in power. Currently it is a museum.
San Juan de Ulúa is also where parts of ''Romancing the Stone'' were filmed.