Old San Juan Landmarks: Day 5

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Cuerpo de Guardia de Bastión de Santa Elena: This structure
was built in 1787 and its purpose was to house the soldiers and
officers stationed here for the defense of San Juan.

 

 

 

 

Princesa Prison: Built in 1837, the Princesa Prison was used
to hold prisoners, some being important political figures. The
prison closed in 1976. It now serves as the headquarters for the
Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

 

 

 

Raíces Fountain: The Raíces Fountain lies in the middle of El
Paseo De La Princesa. The statue represents Puerto Rico's Spanish,
African, and Taíno heritage.

 

 

 

Teatro Tapia: This theater is named for  Puertorrican playwright
Alejandro Tapia y Rivera,  it has been restored and maintained
 in use for many years. Besides theatrical performances, meetings
and ceremonies are also held here.

 

 

 

La Rogativa: A statue of three women and a bishop
during a religious procession. La Rogativa was built to represent a
legendary event that helped save Puerto Rico from a British attack.
 

 

 

 

San Jose Church: The second oldest church in the New World.
San José Church was built in 1532. It is one of the earliest examples
of Gothic architecture that is still relevant today.
 

 

 

 

San Juan Cathedral: The San Juan Cathedral was built
in 1521. In the cathedral lies the tomb of Juan Ponce De
León.

 

 

 

End of the Royal Trail where the Ocean Meets the Bay: The Royal
Trail begins at the Puerta de San Juan. This trail is approximately
half a mile and ends where the Bay of San Juan meets the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

 

La Puerta De San Juan: The Puerta of San Juan was the primary
 entrance to the city from the bay for many years. The walls extending
from it served to protect the city from invasion. This gate
is a passageway to the rest of San Juan's historical sites.

 

 

 

Tite Curet Statue: Tite Curet was a Puerto Rican composer from
Guayama that worked on about 2,000 songs in his lifetime. The statue
sits on a bench in the Plaza de Armas.

 

  

 

San Juan City Hall: Built in 1604, the San Juan City Hall, is next
to Plaza de Armas and the Department of State. It houses the municipal government and from time to time, hosts art exhibits that are open to the public.

Old San Juan Landmarks: Day 4

Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera: This park is dedicated to Luis Muñoz
Rivera, a politician that played a large role in the struggle for autonomy
in Puerto Rico.

 

 

Parque de las Palomas: This  park next to Capilla del Cristo
provides a place for the pigeons to live and eat. For $1, you can feed
the birds here.

 

 

 

Plaza de Armas: The Plaza De Armas is one of the main squares
in San Juan, it is known for its fountain that represents the four seasons.
The plaza is normally crowded with pigeons.

 

 

 

Plaza de Arturo Somohano: This plaza was named after the late
Arturo Somohano. He was a musical composer and director
of the San Juan Symphony Orchestra. 

 

 

Plaza de Colón: The Colón Plaza was built to commemorate
Cristopher Columbus. It was named this in 1893, on the
400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World.
There is a statue here to honor his memory.

 

 

Plaza Dársena: This plaza is mostly known for its crafts market
that is open on the weekends. In Plaza Dársena, you can also
find "La Casita", which was originally built to house the department of
agriculture, it now serves as an information center.

 

 

Plaza de las Monjas: Plaza de Las Monjas serves
as an area to relax or get a piragua. It is next to
El Museo del Niño and the Cathedral.

 

 

Plaza San José: The San José Plaza is near the Pablo Casals Museum
and San José Church. Its main attraction is the statue of Juan
Ponce de León, Puerto Rico's first governor. The statue was made from
the cannons of a failed British attack on the island.

 

 

Plaza del Quinto Centenario: This plaza was dedicated to commemorate
the 500th anniversary of the European discovery of America. In the
lower level of the plaza, there is a fountain representing the first 100 years
after the discovery. On the upper level there is a totem symbolizing the
discovery of the New World.

 

 

Polvorín Santa Elena: Built in 1783, Polvorín Santa Elena served
as a storehouse for munitions used for the defense of El Morro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old San Juan Landmarks: Day 3

La Garita del Diablo: A sentry box in El Fuerte San Cristobal. Legend
has it, that Spanish soldiers working there would disappear never to be seen
again.

 

 

 

 

El Hamburguer: An old fashioned hamburger joint in San Juan where
the quality of food is like no other. It is a favorite of locals and
tourists alike.

 

 

 

Hotel El Convento: Hotel El Convento was a convent housing
the nuns until 1903. Today, it is a popular 4-Star hotel
in San Juan. The hotel is minutes away from many other historic sites
here in San Juan.

 

 

 

Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña: An institute housed in this building since 1992 whose
purpose is to investigate, conserve, and promote Puerto Rico's culture. Before this, the building was the Spanish welfare house.

 

 

 

Liga de Arte: A center for university students that dedicates
itself to arts and design.

 

 

La Mallorquina: Claimed to be the oldest restaurant in Puerto Rico, La
Mallorquina offers a wide variety of Puerto Rico's specialties
recognized all over the world.

 

 

 

Monumento a Juan Amezquita: The oldest monument
in Viejo San Juan. It commemorates and recognizes
Juan Amezquita, who helped defend the island against
the Dutch in El Morro.

 

 

 

 

Museo del Niño: A museum is San Juan for children.
Here, kids of all ages can have fun while learning about
the world we live in.

 

 

 

Museo de Felisa Rincón de Gautier: A dynamic and
active museum that celebrates Felisa Rincón, the first woman
to be elected as mayor of a capital city in the Americas.

 

 

 

Old Location of the Pablo Casals Museum

Pablo Casals Museum: A museum centered on musical instruments
that is dedicated to Pablo Casals. Pablo Casals was a Puerto Rican
cellist whose music demonstrated his feelings on the political oppression
of his time.

New location of the Pablo Casals Museum in el Cuartel Ballajá