San Juan Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, a popularcentury Spanish colonial buildings line the city. Tourists
tourist destination island in the Caribbean. The city ofseeking an experience of old world charm flock to
San Juan was founded in 1521 and is known as Lathe city every year.
Ciudad Amurallada, meaning the walled city. San JuanThe Plaza de San Jose is skirted by a number of
is the biggest natural harbor in the Caribbean and thehistoric buildings and is a favorite meeting place for
second oldest city in the Americas. The city is amany residents and tourists. The bronze statue of
major port and tourist resort and the oldest cityPonce de Leon stands at the center of the plaza.
under the flag of the United States.The Parque de las Palomas or Pigeon Park, offers a
The Spanish made San Juan the focal point for tradebreath-taking view of the city's harbor and mountains.
during the 16th century and fortified the entire city,The park overlooks the restored La Princesa Jail,
now known as Old San Juan. The city has nownow an art gallery.
expanded beyond its walled confines andBegun in 1540, the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro is
incorporates suburban Miramar, Santurce, Condado,a six-level fortress that was eventually completed in
Hato Rey and Rio Piedras. Today, San Juan is the1589. The fort is a maze of tunnels, dungeons,
largest processing center for petroleum, as well asbarracks and ramps. Its 18-foot-thick wall rises 140
known for sugar refining, brewing and distilling.feet above sea level; it provided a formidable
Cement, pharmaceutical and tobacco industries havedefense against attacks in the 16th century. The fort
been set up, which make it one of the busiest portsis studded with small, circular sentry boxes called
in the Caribbean, and the second largest sea port in'Garitas', now a national symbol.
the area, after New York City. San Juan is also theThe Capilla del Cristo or Cristo Chapel was built in
financial capital of Puerto Rico with many U.S. banks1753. The altar and beautiful Campeche paintings
and corporations having set up offices there in recentinside can be seen through the church's glass doors.
times.For those who want to really experience the charm
The city of Old San Juan was originally a militaryof San Juan, there is nothing like a leisure tour on
stronghold. It is now a charming residential andfoot through the narrow and steep streets of the
commercial district with streets paved with cobblescity. San Juan is a quaint city that combines historic
of blue stone. Over 400 carefully restored 16thcharm with modern vision and comfort.