|
 Excerpts
from GoToPuertoRico.com
The Official Website of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
For more information, visit
www.gotopuertorico.com
 Narrow
cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, centuries-old
fortresses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, fascinating museums and
art galleries, handcrafts on the corners - and everything bathed by
a tropical breeze - these are some of the characteristics of
legendary Old San Juan.
Wear comfortable shoes and light
clothing, grab your camera, and get ready to marvel at the perfect
marriage of the past and the present on the very lived-in streets. A
walking tour is a wonderful way to get acquainted with the Old City.
If you need a break, hop aboard the no-charge trolley cars that make
the rounds to and from La Puntilla and Covadonga parking lots at one
of the clearly marked stops.
La Casita – Your Old
San Juan adventure begins at La Casita, or The Little House, the
yellow building located in Plaza de la Dársena that houses a Puerto
Rico Tourism Company Information Center. Open Mon. through Wed. from
8:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Thur. and Fri. until 5:30 PM; Sat. and Sun. from
9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. There is an outdoor crafts market around the
building that is open Sat. and Sun. from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM and
Mon. and Tues. from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM. The crafts market schedule
may vary according to cruise ship itineraries. Tel. (787) 722-1709.
San Juan Bay – La
Casita overlooks San Juan Bay. It is the busiest ocean port in the
Caribbean, bringing in half of the region’s trade and over one
million cruise ship visitors a year. Bayside shops carry everything
from gold jewelry to island arts and crafts. At Casa Don Q Puerto
Rico, located across the street from Pier 1, you can learn about
Destilería Serrallés, a rum distillery established in 1865… and
sample its award-winning products.
La Muralla – As the
promenade continues, it follows the curve of the bay and leads you
to La Muralla, or city wall. Built mostly between 1539 and 1641
using sandstone blocks up to 20 feet thick, the wall was completed
in 1782. It protected the city against enemy attacks. At the western
mouth of the bay you will see Isla de Cabras (Goat Island), and a
small Spanish fort built in 1610.
Museo de Doña Fela –
From La Fortaleza, go to Recinto Oeste Street and turn right on
Caleta de San Juan Street. There you will find Museo de Doña Fela,
the original residence of Felisa Rincón de Gautier, the first woman
to become Mayor of San Juan. This museum features personal
belongings, period memorabilia, and awards granted to this
exceptional woman. Open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tel. (787)
723-1897.
Casa Rosada – The
lovely house in front of La Rogativa is Casa Rosada, or Pink House.
It was built in 1812 for the Spanish army and is now a day care
center for government employees’ children.
Plazuela de la Rogativa
– From Museo de Doña Fela, return to Recinto Oeste Street and climb
the hill to reach Plazuela de la Rogativa, a small plaza with a
bronze sculpture by Lindsay Daen. The work recreates the day a
bishop and his companions frightened away British troops during a
1797 attack on the city by carrying torches and chanting. The
enemies thought the procession was local troop reinforcements.
Casa Blanca – Take the
upper road along a plant-decked wall to a doorway above Casa Rosada.
This is one of the five entrances to Casa Blanca, or the White
House. For 250 years it was the residence of the descendents of Juan
Ponce de León, the first governor of Puerto Rico. The house is now a
museum of 16th and 17th century family life and houses a miniature
replica of a Taíno village. The garden is open daily from 8:00 AM to
5:00 PM. Entrance fee is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for senior
citizens and children. Tel. (787) 724-1454.
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro
– Exit Casa Blanca through Recinto Oeste Street. Straight ahead is
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro or El Morro fortress, rising
majestically 140 feet above the sea. El Morro (meaning “promontory”
in Spanish), surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay, is
the most striking of the city’s military fortifications. It was
built between 1540 and 1783 to protect San Juan from attack by sea.
Among its many attractions is a maze of secret tunnels and dungeons,
and a small museum with information on its history. Along with San
Cristóbal Fort, El Morro has been designated a National Historic
Site and is part of a World Heritage Site. It is administered by the
U.S. National Park Service. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
English tours depart at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Entrance fee is $2.00
for adults and $1.00 for senior citizens and children. No entrance
fee for children under 12. Tel. (787) 729-6960.
Plaza de Hostos – The
small square in front of Plaza de la Dársena, near La Casita, is
Plaza de Hostos. This square features artisans’ displays, snack
stands, and the traditional piragüeros, vendors who sell shaved ice
topped with tropical fruit syrups.
Paseo La Princesa –
Near Plaza de la Marina and a statue honoring the Puerto Rican
immigrant, you will find Paseo La Princesa. It is a promenade lined
with trees, pocket parks, sculptures, and benches, and leads to a
magnificent fountain with a bronze sculpture by Luis Sanguino
depicting the island’s cultural roots.
La Princesa – Midway
through the promenade is La Princesa itself, a former jail and now
headquarters of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. The restored
building features a gallery of Puerto Rican art with permanent and
visiting exhibitions. Tel. (787) 721-2400.
Puerta de San Juan –
The promenade leads to the red-painted Puerta de San Juan or San
Juan Gate, where you re-enter the city. This is one of six original
massive wooden doors that centuries ago were closed at sundown to
protect the residents.
La Fortaleza – Go
through the doorway and make a right on Recinto Oeste Street to La
Fortaleza. It is a palatial structure built in 1540 and the oldest
governor’s mansion in the Western Hemisphere still in use. Guided
tours are available weekdays, except holidays, from 9:00 AM to 3:30
PM; tours in English every hour, in Spanish every half hour.
Schedules are subject to change. Proper attire required. Tel. (787)
721-7000, ext. 2358. |
El
Morro, officially known as Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, sits atop a
high promontory overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay. It is the
result of the efforts of many different Spanish engineers over a
period of more than 200 years and is one of the largest forts built
by the Spaniards in the Caribbean. 
Fort
San Cristóbal stands guard at where once was the eastern gate to the
walled city of
Gothic
churches are rare in the New World, but Puerto Rico has two: Porta
Coeli, built in 1606 in San Germán, and San José, built in the
1530’s in Old San Juan.
