San Juan, Puerto Rico - The Plaza de Armas of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a place of history and culture. It is the heart of Old San Juan, the historic district of the city. The plaza was originally designed as the main square of the city during the Spanish colonial period. At that time, it was a place where important events were held, such as religious celebrations, military parades, and executions....
San Juan Gates – “Puertas de San Juan”
San Juan, Puerto Rico -The San Juan Gates, also known as the Puertas de San Juan, are five gates that are part of the walls that surround the Old Town of San Juan, Puerto Rico. These gates were the only ways to enter and exit the city during the Spanish colonial period. The gates were built to control access to the city and to prevent attacks. There were made of limestone and were often fortified with cannons and other weapons. The gates were used for ceremonial purposes as well, such as royal processions and religious celebrations....
City Wall – “La Muralla”
San Juan, Puerto Rico - The City Wall of San Juan, also known as “La Muralla”, is a defensive wall system that surrounds the western end of the Islet of San Juan, site of the historic Old San Juan district in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This defensive wall system was built between the 16th and 20th centuries to protect the city and the Bay of San Juan, a highly strategic point in the Caribbean. The wall is made of limestone and brick, and is up to 20 feet high in some places. It has a total length of about 2.5 miles, and includes five gates: the Puerta...
The Capitol – “El Capitolio”
San Juan, Puerto Rico -The Capitol of Puerto Rico, also known as the Palace of Laws, is the seat of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, which is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The building is located on Juan Ponce de León avenue in the Puerta de Tierra sector, in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Capitol was designed by Puerto Rican architect Rafael Carmoega and was built between 1921 and 1929. The building is neoclassical in style and made of white marble. The building’s façade is adorned with Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment....
La Fortaleza “The Fortress”
San Juan, Puerto Rico - La Fortaleza is the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico. It is located in the city of San Juan, in the historic district known as Old San Juan. La Fortaleza was built between 1533 and 1540 by order of the Spanish king, Charles V. It was originally a fortress, built to protect the port of San Juan from attacks by pirates and corsairs. The original building consisted of a circular tower and four stone walls. In the 17th century, two more towers were added, and in the 18th century, an interior courtyard was built....
Fort San Cristóbal
San Juan, Puerto Rico - Fort San Cristóbal known as “Castillo de San Cristóbal” is one of the main tourist attractions in Old San Juan. Built from 1634 to 1765, for centuries Fort San Cristóbal has stood guard at the east gate of Old San Juan. The imposing fortress was built to protect the city from enemies that were approaching by land, serving as a counterpart to the Castle San Felipe del Morro. The fortification covers more than 27 acres and is the largest made by the Spanish in the New World. Fort San Cristóbal defended San Juan Bay from foreign attacks, such as the Battle...