Investigations about the fortifications of northern New Spain are scarce. Besides, even though there are isolated writings on some types of fortification, no studies have been carried out that comprehensively track each fortified enclosure. The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the reason for this article, has left us an immense testimony of various historical processes forged in it. This testimony translates into a range of patrimonial assets that were built individually and collectively over the course of three centuries. Its transformation gives an account of the inherited knowledge of techniques or constructive models, and of the occupation strategies, which impress on it a sense of permanence in time. 

Research on fortifications and military architecture is quite scarce, efforts to interpret and reconstruct these spaces, in the cases where physical evidence of their existence have been lost, are so as well. The purpose of this paper is precisely to show what is a presidio, as well as the spaces and activities that constituted said structure. This is achieved through a historical and a virtual reconstruction, where the latter is carried out through an architectural survey. Hopefully, it will revalue these edifices and perhaps, in the future, we will put forth a proposal that the fortifications of the Camino Real north of Tierra Adentro be declared cultural heritage, in the category of military or fortified heritage.

It is vitally important to carry out studies that provide knowledge about history, since this is the basis for the interpretation and enhancement of heritage. In this case, given the scarce material evidence related to the Conchos prison, it is necessary to make a reconstruction or interpretation on a hypothetical level of its structure and spaces, to better understand its functioning, as well as its role in defense, but above all, in the settlement of Nueva Vizcaya. We worked based on our experience on the subject, reviewing the historiography and also through a comparative analysis between interpretation proposals, as well as making analogies with other contemporary fortifications. Thus, a satisfactory identification and reconstruction of the property was achieved, allowing clarity about its history and role within the occupation and pacification of colonial northern Mexico.

Investigations about the fortifications of northern New Spain are scarce. Besides, even though there are isolated writings on some types of fortification, no studies have been carried out that comprehensively track each fortified enclosure. The Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the reason for this article, has left us an immense testimony of various historical processes forged in it. This testimony translates into a range of patrimonial assets that were built individually and collectively over the course of three centuries. Its transformation gives an account of the inherited knowledge of techniques or constructive models, and of the occupation strategies, which impress on it a sense of permanence in time.