Download iPhone Walking Tours Application for San Juan
Guide Location: Puerto Rico » San Juan
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 2.5 km
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 8
Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 2.5 km
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mtmelendez
Author: leticia
San Juan proudly features the country’s oldest quarters and historical buildings. In addition to containing the oldest occupied residence in the Western Hemisphere, visitors can also admire the old City Hall, the Cristo Chapel, Convento de los Dominicos, historic El Arsenal and many other fascinating attractions. Take the following tour to see the most popular and famous historical buildings in San Juan!
Tour Stops and Attractions
1) El Arsenal
Located on La Puntilla Street, El Arsenal was built in 1791 as a Spanish naval station. Later the building became a citadel, which contained a storage room, offices, living sectors, workshops, a coast guard, kitchens and its own chapel. It features a combination of architectural styles and is now home to three exposition galleries.
2) Capilla Del Santo Cristo de la Salud (Cristo Chapel)
Capilla Del Santo Cristo de la Salud is small chapel dating back to 1753. Over the centuries this beautiful chapel was a lovely place of worship to thousands of people. As a legend tells, this historical structure was built to commemorate a miracle.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mtmelendez
3) Alcaldía (San Juan City Hall)
Alcaldía, or San Juan City Hall, located at Plaza de Armas, is a prominent local landmark and historical building. It was built at the end of the 18th century and is an exact replica of the one in Madrid. The building now houses a tourism information center and a small art gallery, which displays periodic exhibitions.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Bill Holmes
4) Puerta de San Juan (San Juan Gate)
Puerta de San Juan is a famous city gate built in the late 1700s. This 40 feet high red gate, built to protect the city from invaders, is one of six impressive wooden doors which were closed at sundown for centuries. If you turn right after passing through the gate, you will find the way to Fort del Morro.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ricardo Espada
5) Casa Rosa
Casa Rosa, also known as Casa Rosada or the Pink House, is an historic house located in Old San Juan built in 1812 as barracks for the Spanish military. After serving as an officers' quarters, the building was converted into a museum of Puerto Rican crafts. Now it is home to a government tourism office.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Jasenlee
6) Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca, or the White House, is a famous historical building in Puerto Rico and the former residence of its first governor, Juan Ponce de León. Built in 1521, this National Historic Monument is now home to an historical museum with exhibits covering the 16th through the 20th centuries. Casa Blanca also houses an ethnographic museum displaying native artifacts.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Boletín Mercantil
7) Convento de los Dominicos
Convento de los Dominicos, located on Norzagaray Street, dates back to 1523. Founded by Dominican priests, it initially served as their monastery and was later used as barracks for the Spanish military. Now it serves as a small chapel museum and occasionally offers concerts and art exhibits.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Santos Raniel Torres
8) Cuartel de Ballajá
Cuartel de Ballajá is also known as Ballajá Barracks or Ballajá Quarters. The construction of this historical building began in 1854 and was completed in 1863. This three-story building features huge gates, several balconies and a number of fine arches.
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