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THE HISTORICAL WEALTH OF THE OLD CUSTOMS OFFICE OF SAN BLAS

THE HISTORICAL WEALTH OF THE OLD CUSTOMS OFFICE OF SAN BLAS

San Blas is a place whose natural beauty frames a great wealth of culture and history, dating back to stories of pirate expeditions, colonial conquests, and victorious fights for Mexico’s independence. All this history surrounded by exuberant vegetation of the tropical jungle, abundant wildlife ranging from hundreds of bird species to reptiles, modern tourism facilities and services, and fabulous panoramic views.

Among its historical buildings, there is One in particular which is the subject of this article; The Old Customs Office of San Blas located just two blocks from the town square. This building was originally designated as the Office of traffic control of one of the most important ports in the Pacific Coast of the America’s in the 18^th century.

San Blas Port was inaugurated on February 22^nd, 1768, which boosted the importance of the harbor industry nationwide because of its strategic location for exporting gold, fine wood and salt.

The commercial activity of the Port became very important and in a short period of time the Customs offices were established to control the merchandise flow that arrived from around the world, especially the famous “Naos of China” cargos.

At the beginning of the XVIII century, the commercial activities between México and Philippines and other countries from Far West were forbidden from Acapulco’s port, which caused black market to surge in the San Blas port, until Virrey Felix María Calleja ordered the port closed, although the black market activity still ran for many years thereafter.

Nowadays the Old Customs Office building of San Blas is a museum and a stage for pictorial and artistic exhibitions and also has a space for dancing classes. In its interior, you can appreciate vestiges of its construction, based on thick and solid walls and antique arcs in its main entrance. It is opened from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.