If you want to see puerto rico, chances are youre going to start in san juanspecifically, old san juan. Consisting of 400 restored buildings from the 16th and 17thcentury spanish colonial period, this area in san juan is steeped in history with an old world and romantic european charm. In 1797, a british fleet of approximately 60 ships attempted to take san juan but failed in what is known on the island as the battle of san juan. When christopher columbus discovered the island in 1493, he named it san juan bautista st. The colourful streets of old san juan, puerto rico one of the best surprises from our trip to the caribbean was discovering old san juan, the oldest settlement in puerto rico and the historical colonial section of san juan, its capital city. Puerto rico inspires caribbean daydreams for good reason. Lying on the northwesternmost point of the islet of old san juan, castillo san felipe del morro is named in honor of king philip ii of spain. The 500year old walled city is filled with beautiful pastelcolored colonial buildings, spanish forts, art and history museums, plazas, restaurants, bars, shops and ship docks. In 1540, with revenue from mexican mines, the spanish settlers began the construction of fort san felipe del morro the promontory in san juan.
Cartoons of the war of 1898 with spain, from leading foreign and. Saint john is the capital and mostpopulous municipality in the commonwealth of puerto rico, an unincorporated territory of the united states. Puerto rico history and heritage travel smithsonian. For history and culture buffs some must visit stops include. See how this culturally rich city has changed, and how it has remained the same in san juan then and now. Sjcl is also the only public library with a digital branch, with 1,000 ebooksaudiobooks and 25,000 ebooks from project gutenberg classic titles in public. Established in 1521, san juan is the secondoldest europeanfounded settlement in the americas and the oldest under us jurisdiction. Old san juan, puerto rico san juan antiguo things to. Jan 15, 2017 antique vintage historical history books of puerto rico. A major port and tourist resort of the west indies, it is the oldest city now under u. Old san juan is only seven blocks from the port, and every week, 28,000 visitors come off the cruise ships to see the restored 465yearold neighborhood that was considered one of. When you enter the museum you will be taken on a journey centered on the history of the african slaves in. Old san juan has dozens of museums and galleries to discover, many of them free of charge or with inexpensive admission. Guided tours of old san juan, puerto rico usa today.
Dust off those history books, starting with christopher columbus, he discovered puerto rico and originally named the entire island san juan in 1493 through the spanish america war, and brush up. The colourful streets of old san juan, puerto rico. In the 1520s the citys name changed to san juan and the island to puerto rico by a confused cartographer. What to do in puerto rico in 3 days wanderlust crew. A 465yearold neighborhood along the coast of puerto rico, old san juan is seven square blocks of 16th and 17th century buildings that have been completely restored and upgraded.
Puerto rico was considered the key to the antilles by the spanish because of its location as a way station and port for spanish vessels. Here you can view paintings, photographs, artifacts and documents that show the affect that african culture has had on the island. Shoehorned onto a tiny islet that guards the entrance to san juan harbor, the old town was inaugurated almost a century before the mayflower laid anchor in presentday massachusetts, and it is now a historic wonderland that juxtaposes historical authenticity with. Colorful buildings line narrow cobblestone streets, locals fill the bars and tapas restaurants on friday nights, and the area is home to significant puerto rican history.
Great books by puerto rican authors discover puerto rico. He named the island san juan bautista, in honor of john the baptist. Viejo san juan as the locals refer to it sits on a tiny island on the north coast of puerto rico and is connected to the mainland of puerto rico by three bridges. List of books and articles about puerto rican history. Puero rico was founded one hundred years before the pilgrims landed at plymouth. Tour the historypacked san juan, zip line through a tropical rainforest, and hit the beach. Puerto rico travel books and maps puerto rico by gps.
Visitors could easily spend a couple of days wandering the cobblestone streets, exploring the citys history and culture. Today, it is the capital of puerto rico and one of the top destinations in caribbeanwelcoming travelers from all over the world. Seeking a slice of life truly different, old san juan was the right choice for our home base on a weekend trip to puerto rico. Interesting history of san juan puerto rico by emily. The women in san juan places the historical roots of female. Puerto rico introduces students to the history, economy, environment, and culture of puerto rico through essays, poetry, and fiction the second edition of our book caribbean connections. Founded in 1996 by famous yankee baseball player eduardo figueroa, lupis old san juan is one of the favoriite places of.
We did a little research about puerto rico prior to visiting, but it. Founded in 1987, san juan community library is one of only a handful of lending libraries in puerto rico. The old san juan walking tour takes you by the hand and guides you through. As of the 2010 census, it is the 46thlargest city under the jurisdiction of the united states, with a population of 395,326. Historic churches in old san juan, puerto rico hachette. Our library has over 30,000 books, dvds in spanish and english in its collection. The walled city with an historical heart carols worldwide cruise port itineraries book 1. Old san juan is located on a small and narrow island which lies along the north coast, about 35 miles 56 km from the east end of puerto rico, and is united to the mainland of puerto rico by three bridges. San juan, capital and largest city of puerto rico, located on the northern coast of the island, on the atlantic ocean. He originally called the island san juan bautista, but thanks to the gold in the river, it was soon known as puerto rico, or rich port. Historic zone, complete with over 400 remarkably preserved buildings dating back to the citys inception.
Old san juan 2020 all you need to know before you go. Visit our museums, monuments and art galleries in old san juan. Simone is set around rio piedras, santurce and old san juan, and its a great book to get a feeling of the different boroughs in san juan. The old part of the islands capital is rich in history and culture. San juan was founded by spanish colonists in 1521, who called. Caparra was renamed puerto rico or rich port in 1521. Puerto ricos official name is the commonwealth of puerto rico christopher columbus discovered the island in 1493 and named it san juan bautista, after john the baptist spanish and english are the two main languages spoken throughout puerto rico throughout the whole year, the temperatures in puerto rico vary between 70 and 80 degrees fahrenheit. The history of san juan begins a long time before its official foundation, in 1493, during his second voyage, christopher columbus landed in puerto rico.
To find out where best to browse and buy in san juan, read on for our list of the best independent bookstores in the capital. See more ideas about puerto rico, puerto ricans, puerto rico history. Immersing yourself in puerto ricos rich history is easy, just head to the center of old san juanhere youll find the remains of the original city. Consisting of 400 restored buildings from the 16th and 17thcentury spanish colonial period, this area in san juan is steeped in history with an oldworld and romantic european charm. The 19th century puerto rico, as a small and relatively conservative spanish colony, did not participate. The tour meet at the agreed time in plaza colon in san juan, where we ll go over the history of puerto rico beneath the mandate of the spanish crown. Centered around old san juan, rio piedras, and santurce, the story follows an anonymous narrator. See more ideas about puerto rico, puerto rico history and puerto rican culture. The 19th century puerto rico, as a small and relatively conservative spanish colony, did not participate in the independence movements of the early 19th century. Scented by slowroasted pork and sea breezes, and colored by swashbuckling history, this sunwashed medley of spanish and american influences is a paradiseseekers pleasure dome.
Its the capital and most populous city in puerto rico and the secondoldest europeanestablished fort in the americas. The city later became known as puerto rico meaning rich port. Officially known as the commonwealth of puerto rico a selfgoverning entity in association with the united states, it includes the offshore islands of mona, vieques, and culebra. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Fun is a big part of puerto ricos culture, and it should be a part of your meeting, too. Five centuries ago, san juan was an impenetrable fortified city. The pablo casals museum is the spanish masters inheritance to the people of puerto rico which collections includes manuscripts, memorabilia, photographs and a library of videotapes of festival casals concerts in puerto rico. Christopher columbus arrived at puerto rico in 1493. Book lovers planning a visit to puerto rico take note the islands capital san juan is full of fantastic independent bookstores. The san juan museum of art and history was built in 1855 showcases puerto rico art and music. The ultimate puerto rican book list to celebrate culture and pride. In light of the crisis on the island after hurricane maria, we have redesigned and placed the book online for free download by classroom.
Puerto rico is back and ready for your next vacation. But old san juan isnt just impressive because of its history, delicious food, and local shops. Originally, the settlement was known as puerto rico and the island as san juan, but common usage over the centuries brought about a reversal of the names. Whether its a teambuilding exercise, an outing to dazzle important clients, or a volunteer day to give back something positive for the community, there is so much for groups to. The pablo casals museum is the spanish masters inheritance to the people of puerto rico which collections includes manuscripts, memorabilia, photographs and a library of videotapes of festival casals concerts in. Old san juan is special in every way, known for its rich history, five century old forts, romantic ambiance, old world elegance, exquisite food, and festive atmosphere.