Scavenger Hunt Old San Juan!

Welcome to Old San Juan! This place is filled with amazing history that will make everyone appreciate what the Puerto Rican culture is all about! We hope that you enjoy a sneak peek of some of the most beautiful places in Old San Juan! Thank you for watching!


Antiguo Manicomio Insular:

It was an insane asylum with iron fences all around. It is now an Academy of Fine Arts.

 Capilla del Cristo:

A local legend from San Juan says that this building was built because it is the price that was paid from a promise when a young boy lost control of his horse during a race and fell from all the way up there.

  

Capitolio:

 It is where the legislature joins as a group to analyze and discuss laws. They can as well approve them during the meetings.

          

Casa Rosa:

It was built as barracks for the military men. Then it was made as an officer’s quarters by the Spanish army. Then it was remodeled and made into a museum for Puerto Rican crafts.

Casino de Puerto Rico

It is known for its beautiful antique Spanish and                                                                  French touch. It is very elegant and very structured.                                                          It is now used for weddings and special events.

 Castillo San Cristóbal

            It was constructed by the Spanish and it was one of the largest military forts. It was built for defense in San Juan.

7.

Castillo de San Felipe del Morro

     
        This structure which is also built by the Spanish has an impressive structure.  It represents the almost half of a century that they were under military rule.

Cementerio de Santa María de Pazzis- This cemetery is also known as “Cementerio la Perla” or “Cementerio de los Próceres”. It holds the remains of many important people in the history of Puerto Rico.

      









































Pedro Albizu Campos is known as a leading figure, attorney and politician in the independence movement for Puerto Rico. He was born in Ponce in September 12, 1891 and died in San Juan in April 21, 1965. 

                                                                                     

José Julián Acosta was a teacher, politician, attorney and journalist for the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico. He was born in San Juan, February 16, 1825 and died in Santurce, August 26, 1891. 

      Alejandro Tapia y Rivera was a writer, educator, poet and playwright. Born in San Juan, November 12, 1826 and died in San Juan, July 19, 1882

José Gautier Benitez was a poet considered the most represented in the Romantic Era. He was born in Caguas, April 12, 1849 and died in San Juan, January 24, 1880.

  

José de Diego was a poet, essayist, lawyer and politician. He was born Aguadilla, April 16, 1866 and died in New York City in July 16, 1918.

Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe is a school in San Juan that was established, studied not only young vocation to the priesthood, but students, some poor and others wealthy, who gave extraordinary prestige to Puerto Rico including: Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, Baldorioty de Castro, José Julián Acosta, Cayetano Coll y Toste , José Celso Barbosa , Rafael W. Ramirez and many others.

The Cuartel de Ballajá is a beautiful building constructed by the Spanish army between 1854 and 1864. Located near el Morro, it now holds schools of music and dance and a museum.

Department of State:

Situated on the West side of Plaza de Armas, this beautiful building has been used for various purposes throughout Puerto Rican history. However,  it now holds some important government offices. Its structure is considered one of the best example of the “Neoclásico Isabelino” in the caribbean.

   

Escalinata de las Monjas:

Meaning “staircase of the nuns”, this alley connects the Caleta De Las Monjas St. with Calle Sol. This alley its recognized for its colorful beauty and staircases.

La Fortaleza:

Built in the 1530s as one of the structures to defend San Juan, this building is also known as El Palacio de Santa Catalina. Nowadays, it is the house of the governor. 

Fuerte San Gerónimo:

This small fort is located along the Caribe Hilton Hotel in the Condado Lagoon. It was built to replace a smaller fort that fell to one of the many foreigners attack to the island during the 17th century.

Galería Nacional:

The Galería Nacional is located behind the San Jose Church and almost in front of Barrio La Perla. It is administered by the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña and holds many famous Puerto Rican paintings from the 18th century, like those of José Campeche.

Garita del Diablo:

This famous “garita” is found in Fuerte San Cristobal. Also, its superstitious name is due to the legend that says that many Spanish soldiers disappeared frequently.

El Hamburger:

El Hamburger is located in Avenida Muñoz Rivera, very near to Old San Juan. This restaurant is a classic Puerto Rican restaurant built out of wood that has been there for many years that is definitely classified as an attraction where many tourists stop and eat.

Hotel El Convento:

Hotel El Convento is located on 100 Calle Del Cristo in Old San Juan filled with rich history. This hotel was first built by the Spanish that came to Puerto Rico and became a house for nuns. After they closed the nunnery, it was closed for many years. Even though it was abandoned for many years, it was used for different things like a flophouse and a dance hall until it was built into beautiful hotel that is well-known today.

Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña:

El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña is an agency located in Old San Juan that was created by the government. This place was created to show people about the Puerto Rican culture and the diversity of our island. It is a different way to preserve our culture and show other people what our island is all about.

Liga de Arte:

Liga de Arte is a gallery located in Old San Juan. Here, many Puerto Ricans artists, regardless of age, come and take art courses by adults who offer them. Also, they have the chance to exhibit their art so other people can appreciate the Puerto Rican culture and the artists that the island has in a different way.

Museo del Niño:

El Museo Del Niño is located on 150 Calle Cristo in Viejo San Juan. This museum has three floors and it is an amazing place for children to have fun while they learn about the ancient history of Puerto Rico. This museum basically teaches kids about the culture of Puerto Rico in an interesting way for them so they can keep that knowledge and pass it on.

Pablo Casals Museum:

The Pablo Casals Museum is located on San Sebastián Street, which was named after a well-known cellist Pablo Casals, who also founded the Festival Casals. Inside the museum, you can find manuscripts, pictures, and many other things about this successful composer. The museum is currently closed because it will be relocated to Santurce.

Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera:

Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera is located on Puerta de Tierra in Old San Juan. This park was the first city ark built in Puerto Rico, named after an important historical figure, Luis Muñoz Rivera, who was a leader of the Autonomist Party.

Parque de las Palomas:

El Parque de las Palomas is located on a city walk in Old San Juan. This place has an amazing view and it’s a nice place to rest for a while. The park is also known because you will always find many pigeons there that you can feed.

La Plaza de Armas:

La Plaza de Armas is a square located on San José Street in Old San Juan. This place is a very historic and important square because many years ago it was used to train the soldiers in the military.

Plaza Arturo Somohano:

Plaza Arturo Somohano is a square located in Old San Juan. This square was named after Arturo Somohano, a Puerto Rican composer who was outstanding at composing songs, which are still known today like “En Mi Viejo San Juan.”

La Plaza de Colón, was originally named St. James square, it was renamed in 1883 for the  400th anniversary of the island of Puerto Rico. The bronze tablet show important moments in Cristobal Colón's life.

Plaza Dársena is a popular place for tourists to start an excursion around San Juan.La Casita, which is the yellow house, contains informations for visitors, as well as provide maps and guides.

Plaza de Las Monjas is the plaza outside of the Cathedral, and El Hotel Convento. It serves as a resting place for everybody nearby.

The statue of Juan Ponce de León, located at the centre of Plaza San José, was made from captured British canons. They got the canons during the attack of Sir Ralph Ambercromby, in 1797.

La Plaza del Quinto Centenario was a commemoration of Puerto Rico's 500th anniversary of Columbus' discovery, opened in 1992. The 40 foot totem symbolises the 500 years of post Columbian Puerto Rican history. The totem was the work of a Puerto Rican artist, Jaime Suarez.

La Princesa Prison was the prison, in where Don Pedro Albizu Campos was held at. It was there that Albizu Campos and several other inmates were tortured. The prison was later closed, due to the inhumane conditions in which prisoners were kept. It is now the Tourism company's headquarters.

La Puerta de San Juan is one of three remaining gates to the city of San Juan. It also marks the end of El Paseo Princesa. During it's time

Also made to commemorate 500 years of discovery by Columbus, el Raíces fountain was also made to celebrate Puerto Rican culture. The basin of the fountain represents the sea, and each of the sculptures represent a cultural aspect of Puerto Rico. A plaque found at the base explains the meaning of each sculpture.

The San Juan Cathedral: It is Puerto Rico’s most important religious building, and also the heart of El Viejo San Juan.  In it you will find the remains of St. Pio, beautiful stained glass windows, and the tomb of Juan Ponce de León!

La Rogativa: La Rogativa is a sculpture that shows catholics holding torches and crosses. This was an act of faith during the invasion of Puerto Rico by the British.

San Jose Church: This magnificent church was originally named as the Church and Monastery of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Ponce de León, along with Jose Campeche, were buried in this beautiful church.

Tito Curet Statue: This beautiful statue was created to honor the famous Puerto Rican composer, known for his salsa songs. It is located in San Juan’s Plaza de Armas.

San Juan City Hall: Known as The Alcaldia. It was built in 1789, it has a Spanish style, a tourism center, and a small gallery for periodic exhibitions! 

Teatro Tapia: It’s official name was Teatro Municipal Alejandro Tapia y Rivera. It is the oldest theater in Puerto Rico, and is still open and hosting events.

At the end of the Royal Trail you can see the ocean turning into a beautiful bay. This happens between El Morro and a small fort at Isla de Cabra, which is located at the opposite side of the trail.