The Iglesia de San José (San José Church) began construction in 1523. Juan Ponce de León gave the land where the Church now stands. Originally called the Church and Monastery of Saint Thomas Aquinas, it was built by Dominican friars to serve as the monastery’s church and chapel dedicated to Saint Thomas Aquinas. The section […]
Catedral de San Juan ( island’s first governor Juan Ponce de León and the relic of San Pio, a Roman martyr. San Juan Cathedral still holds religious services on a regular schedule. Visitors can explore the cathedral from 8:30am to 4pm daily.
Puerta de San Juan (Paseo de la Princesa, Old San Juan) – Dating back to 1520, this was one of the five original entrances to the city and is the only one still in its original state. The massive gate, painted a brilliant shade of red, gave access from the port. It resembles a tunnel […]
Plazuela de la Rogativa (Plaza of the Procession)(Caleta de las Monjas, Old San Juan) — was built in 1971, features a modern sculpture depicting a procession of religious women commemorates an event that took place on the site in 1797. During the spring of that year, a fleet of British ships led by under Sir […]
Plaza de Colón (Columbus Square) was originally called St. James Square was renamed in 1893 to honor Christopher Columbus on the 400th anniversary of his discovery of Puerto Rico; bronze tablets at the pedestal of the Columbus statue record important episodes in the explorer’s life.
Plaza de San José is a favorite meeting place for young and old alike. At its center stands the bronze statue of Ponce de León, made from a British cannons captured in during Sir Ralph Abercromby’s attack 1797. The plaza is skirted by a number of historic buildings. Abutting Plaza San José is the Plaza […]
Plaza de Armas (Old San Juan) — The Old City’s original main square was once used as military drilling grounds. Bordered by Calles San Francisco, Rafael Cordero, San José, and Cruz, it has a fountain with 19th-century statues representing the four seasons as well as a bandstand and a small café. The Alcaldía commands the […]
Paseo de los Presidentes (Presidents’ Lane, Old San Juan) — is just across the street from the Capital building. Here, you can find life-size bronze sculptures of all the US presidents who have visited (or even stepped foot in) Puerto Rico. There are monuments to Puerto Rican police who have died in the line of […]
Paseo de la Princesa (Princess ‘Lane, Old San Juan) – Construida a mediados del siglo XIX para honrar a la princesa española de Asturias, esta calle tiene un amplio camino peatonal y está adornada con flores, árboles, bancos y calles. lámparas Desplegando hacia el oeste desde la Plaza del Inmigrante a lo largo de la […]