History of Old San Juan
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, a city with rich diversity and a rich history. Founded in 1591 by Juan Ponce de Leon it was used as a military base by the Spanish for many years and Spanish ships with cargo would dock there for protection. In San Juan much of the colonial architecture still remains adding to the romantic feel of the city. The wall build in the 1630’s also remains to this present day. Its impressive sandstone architecture adds even more to the romantic atmosphere in the city.
Old San Juan was not always the beautiful tourist attraction that it is today. In the seventeen century the city survived many attacks and sieges thanks to the artillery at “El Morro”. The most tragic time in the city’s history was is by the 1940’s the city had fallen into disrepair and the authorities were considering tearing the city down and rebuilding. Fortunately one by the name of Ricardo Alegria talked the authorities into keeping and preserving the old city. The preservation and cleaning up of the city is what has made Old San Juan the popular tourist destination that it is today.
Modern San Juan
Modern day Old San Juan is a city filled with many attractions and activities. It boasts cobble stone streets, shops, open air cafes, museums, and tree-shaded plazas all easily accessible through a free tourist trolley. Part of the wall from the 1600’s is also preserved and many enjoy being able to experience this artifact from the seventeenth century. Another point of interest in Old San Juan is El Morro. This fortress’s construction began in 1540, though there were additions made well into the eighteenth century. With six stories and towering 140 feet above the see, El Morro is an impressive display of the cities rich history.
Other architectural masterpieces found in the city are the city gate and the cathedral. The city gate boasts an impressive massive wooden door. This used to be the only way to enter the city. Close by is the cathedral with its intricate Gothic design. Also, within the cathedral one can find the remains of the founder of the city, Juan Ponce de Leon. Another area of interest is the governor’s mansion. Originally this building was built to be used as a fortress but it ended up being used as the governor’s mansion for many of the governors. It is open to guided tours Monday through Friday and is an excellent way to get a glimpse at how a house in San Juan in colonial times would have looked and operated.
Not to be forgotten are the cities many museums. One of the oldest is the San Juan Museum of art and history. This museum was founded in 1855 and has many exhibits dealing with Puerto Rican art. Another noteworthy museum is the Pablo Casals museum. This museum was built for the Puerto Rican people by the late composer Pablo Casals. It features breathtaking displays of his work.
It is easy to see the draw of Old San Juan with its romantic atmosphere, rich history, and many attractions. That is why it continues to be one of the top tourist destination spots in the area. Why not visit it yourself on your next vacation?