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Attractions: San Juan
Paseo La Princesa
Paseo La Princesa or Princess
Promenade is lined with trees, street lamps and benches, the promenade
will lead you to a magnificent fountain, and a bronze sculpture
by Luis Sanguino, depicting the island's diverse cultural roots.
San Juan Bay
San Juan Bay, currently the busiest
ocean port in the Caribbean, bringing in half of all the region's
trade and over one million visitors a year aboard cruise ships.
Numerous bayside shops carry everything from gold jewelry to island
arts and crafts. Casa Don Q Puerto Rico, located across the street
from Pier 1, features a tour recounting the history behind Destileria
Serralles, a local rum company established on the island since 1865.
Plaza de Hostos
The small square in front of
Plaza de la Darsena, near La Casita, is Plaza de Hostos. This square
features artisans' displays, snack stands and the traditional piragOeros,
who sell refreshing shaved ice cones served with your choice of
tropical fruit syrups.
La Princesa
Halfway along the promenade
is La Princesa itself, formerly a jail and now headquarters of the
Puerto Rico Tourism Company. The restored building features a gallery
of island art with permanent exhibitions by Puerto Rican artists.
La Muralla
or city wall is built of sandstone
blocks between 1539 and 1641, and measuring up to 20 feet in thickness,
the wall was completed in 1782 to surround the entire colonial city
and guard it effectively against any enemy attack. Gaze across the
bay and you will see a long islet called Isla de Cabras; it houses
a small Spanish fort built in 1610 to guard the western side of
the bay.
Museo de Dona Fela
It’s the original
residence of Rincon de Gautier, the first woman mayor of San Juan.
This museum features personal belongings, period memorabilia and
awards granted to this exceptional woman.
Plazuela de la Rogativa
The plaza of the religious procession.
The bronze sculpture by Lindsay Daen recreates the scene of a bishop
and his companions who carrying torches and chanting were said to
have frightened away British troops during the 1797 attack of the
city. The enemies thought the procession was local troop reinforcements
Fuerte San Felipe del Morro
El Morro fortress a single compact
unit that rises majestically 140 feet above the sea flying the US.
Puerto Rico and Spanish military flags. El Morro is the most striking
of the city’s military fortifications. Surrounded by the Atlantic
ocean and the San Juan bay. It was built between 1540 and 1783 to
keep seaborne enemies out of San Juan. Among many wonderful attractions
El Morro features a maze of secret access tunnels and dungeons and
a small museum with complete information on the history of the fortress.
Along with San cristobal fort El Morro has been designated a National
Historic site administered by the US National Park service.
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