Reflection

Going through Old San Juan, a city which all of us have been to numerous time was strangely different this time. Perhaps some of the locations listed were slightly familiar although it was clear nobody knew much about our own, Viejo San Juan. Being able to go to each one and asking people for directions was incredibly fun although at the same time quite difficult due to the weather that day. Learning about something which is right beneath our noses offered a new perspective to learning, there are things which we can learn all around us, we just need to be open and curious to learn. With those two qualities you can learn anything. Additionally, learning about every location offered even more of an in depth understanding of how rich the city’s history is. Each of these locations has a significance in the history of Viejo San Juan. It is amazing how much has been left in the city, it almost seems to be stuck in the past almost. Even some of the streets are still of the same cobblestone which was used to pave the roads hundreds of years ago. The fort, El Morro, still stands strong and was a turning point in Puerto Rico’s history. Learning about all these things shed light on how important and rich Puerto Rico’s history really is.

Tito Curet Statue

Tite Curet Alonso A life-sized statue honoring Curet Alonso now (literally) sits at San Juan's Plaza de Armas, in Alonso's favorite bench spot.

Teatro Tapia

Teatro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, is among the oldest free-standing drama stage buildings under U.S. flag still in use. It is located in San Juan.

San Juan Cathedral

   The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of San Juan de Puerto Rico.

San José Church

San José Church, located in Old San Juan within the historic colonial section of the capital of Puerto Rico, is one of the first significant works of architecture on the island.

La Rogativa

 La Rogativa turn left after passing through La Puerta de San Juan. Follow the path through the gardens, up the steps leading into La Plazuela de la Rogativa.

Raíces Fountain

Raíces Fountain A large, majestic fountain at the end of Paseo de la Princesa, Raíces celebrates the diverse heritage of Puerto Rico.

La Puerta de San Juan

La Puerta de San Juan is the city’s fortified wall, El Paseo de la Princesa ends in La Puerta de San Juan. Between 1634 and 1638, the city of San Juan was turned into an impregnable fortress with the building of its walls.

Princesa Prison (1)

  Princesa Prison was originally built in 1853 and over the past couple it was used as a prison and was known simply as La Princesa.

Plaza del Quinto Centenario

 Plaza del Quinto Centenario is located next to El Cuartel de Ballajá, this plaza commemorates the Quincentennial of the European Discovery of America and Puerto Rico.

Plaza San José

Plaza San José is a small cobblestone plaza is dominated by a statue of Juan Ponce de León.

Plaza de Colón

This plaza and its fountain commemorate the explorer Christopher Columbus, whose name in Spanish was Cristóbal Colón.

Department of State

This building is responsible of promoting the cultural, political, and economical relations between Puerto Rico and foreign countries, and other jurisdictions of the United States.

Plaza Arturo Somohano

  

  

It is a small area that is located at Tetuán Street, artistic and craftsmen exhibit their arts in the plaza. it is name after Puerto Rican musician Arturo Somohano.

Plaza de Armas

 The Plaza de Armas of San Juan is one of the main squares in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

Plaza de las Monjas

La plaza de Monjas it is located in front of the Hotel Convento with a beautiful view of the San Juan Chruch 

Plaza Dársena

Plaza de la Dársena is best known for its permanent crafts market usually held on weekends.

Parque de las Palomas

The main propose of this park was for cannons. It is located at the end of Cristo Street, with an amazing view of the harbor.  It is a park full of pigeons, where you can feed them. 

Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera

·         The Luis Muñoz Rivera Park is located in Puerta de Tierra in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The park was named in honor of Puerto Rican statesman Luis Muñoz Rivera.

Pablo Casals Museum

·    The Pablo Casals Museum is located in San Jose Plaza in Old San Juan, next to San Jose Church and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Museo del Niño (1)

·         Museo del Nino is learning laboratory for more than 1,000 young teens and college students who have the opportunity to do volunteer work in this space.

Liga de Arte (1)

·         Liga de artes is an art education facility that is funded by a nonprofit organization.

Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña

·         The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture is the government agency responsible for establishing cultural policy in order to help preserve, promote, enhance and disseminate the cultural values ​​of Puerto Rico.

Hotel El Convento

·         Hotel El Convento is a hotel in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is located across the street from the western hemisphere's second oldest cathedral, San Juan Church.

El Hamburger

·                 El hamburger is a restaurant about half way between the Caribe Hilton and closest fort in old San Juan known for its amazing burgers.

Galería Nacional (1)

·        Galería Nacional is located in the capital of  Puerto Rico, it holds the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings from the eighteenth century to the 1960s.

Fuerte San Gerónimo

·         It is also known as Fortín de San Gerónimo del Boquerón is a small fort located in the Condado Lagoon, across from Miramar in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

La Fortaleza

·         La Fortaleza is an official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan.

Cuartel de Ballajá

    The Cuertel de Ballaja was a military barracks and was built by the Spanish for their troops and their families. This was heavily used during the Spanish- American War. After the War, the barracks became the quarters for the U.S Infantry until 1939.