RSSThe legendary city of Old San Juan is known for its narrow cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings and centuries-old fortresses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Old San Juan is best explored on foot and is a wonderful way to enjoy the quaint charm of the city. You can take a break from walking by hopping on the free trolley cars that make rounds between La Puntilla and Covadonga parking lots.
The tour starts at La Casita or The Little House, which houses the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. There is an outdoor crafts market around the building and is en excellent place to buy native handicrafts. From La Casita you can look out at San Juan Bay, the busiest ocean port in the Caribbean. At San Juan Bay you will find shops that carry everything from gold jewelry to islands arts and crafts. Located across the street from Pier 1 is Casa Don Q Puerto Rico where you can learn about Destileria Serralles, a rum distillery established in 1865.
From the bay, the promenade curves and continues on to La Muralla or city wall. This was built in 1539 and 1641 using 20-feet thick sandstone blocks. Completed in 1782, the wall protected the city against enemy attacks. From here you can also see Isla de Cabras or Goat Island and a small Spanish fort built in 1610. The Museo de Doña Fela is located on Caleta de San Juan Street, which is to the right of Recinto Oeste Street coming in from La Fortaleza, a 16th century palatial mansion. The Museum is a former residence and features personal belongings and period memorabilia of Felisa Rincon de Gautier, the first woman Mayor of San Juan.
From the Museo, return to Recinto Oeste Street and climb up the hill to Plazuela de la Rogativa. This is a small plaza with the bronze statue by Lindsay Daen that recreates the day a bishop and his companions frightened away British troops during a 1797 attack on the city by carrying torches and chanting, which the enemy troops mistook for reinforcements. From here take the upper road along a plant-decked wall to a doorway above Casa Rosada or Pink House, which is a 19th-century Spanish Army house converted to a child care center. The doorway is one of five entrances into the Casa Blaca, which for 250 years was the residence of the descendants of Juan Ponce de Leon, the first governor of Puerto Rico. The house is now a museum with 16th and 17th century artifacts from family life and a replica of a Taino village.
From Casa Blanca and through Recinto Oeste Street, keep walking straight to Fuerte San Felipe del Morro or El Morro fortress, which rises majestically 140 feet above the sea and is surrounded by San Juan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Built between 1540 and 1783, its many attractions include secret tunnels, dungeons and a small museum that features the fort’s history. Heading back to La Casita, you will come across Plaza de Hostos, a small square in front of Plaza de la Darsena. The square features artisans’ displays, snack stands and traditional piragueros, vendors who sell shaved ice topped with tropical fruit syrups. Near Plaza de la Marina is a promenade lines with trees, pocket parks, sculptures and benches called Paseo La Princesa. It leads to the red-painted Puerta de San Juan, where you re-enter the city. This is one of six massive wooden gates that were closed at sundown centuries ago to protect the residents.
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