Puerto Rico, Visit Old San Juan, Take A Tour To Historic Places, Sights, Museums, Art Galleries - Big C Productions, Your Production House

Puerto Rico - At A Glance
Original Inhabitants: Taino Indians
1493: Christopher Columbus discovered the island
1508: colonized by Spain
1509: Ponce de Leon was appointed as governor
1898/99: Spain relinquished ownership of the island to the U.S.

Capital:
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Population:
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San Juan
Commonwealth assoc. with the U.S.
~ 3.885.900
3459 sq mi (8.959 sq km)
Spanish, English
US Dollar
Right Side

Puerto Rico - In Depth
Originally inhabited by the Taino Indians, also known as the Borinqueno, this Southern Caribbean island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his 2nd voyage to the New World, which was sponsored by the king and queen of Spain. The Spanish colonization of Puerto Rico did not start until 1508, and by 1509 Ponce de Leon was appointed by Spain as governor of the island. The Spanish were not the only ones to settle on this island however. Over time, slaves were brought from Africa; French immigrants came from Haiti and much later, Louisiana; and even Scottish and Irish farmers found a new home here, settling on the island and each contributing to a diverse and rich cultural heritage.

Located in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico is a rectangular island that is only 100 miles East to West, and 35 miles from North to South. This small land mass houses almost 4 million people, which makes Puerto Rico one of the densest populations in the world. Currently Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States; it was acquired at the end of the Spanish & American War in 1898, when Spain relinquished ownership of island. Puerto Rico shares currency, defense, and citizenship with the United States. The official languages are Spanish and English. Some of the benefits of this arrangement are that it is exempt from taxation by the States, and its citizens enjoy unrestricted entry into the United States. Puerto Rico is also run by its own elected governor, and is responsible for its own internal affairs; this separation from mainland American government however, excludes them from voting in U.S. Presidential elections. back to top

The first settlement by Ponce de Leon in 1508, named "Caparra Fort," is now a historical area known as the Caparra Ruins. The Museum of Conquest and Colonization of Puerto Rico occupies the land where the ancient Caparra fort once stood, and presents artifacts and information on this historical location. In 1521 the city of San Juan was founded, and became the primary center of commerce and military power for the Spaniards, which makes San Juan the focal city in the history of Puerto Rico. As it became a target of attack by other countries, orders came from Spain to fortify the city with massive sandstone walls and fortresses. Practically undefeated, the city of San Juan served Spain for almost 4 decades. Despite the modernization that comes with time, many of the original walls and fortresses still stand today within San Juan.
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The past and present stand side by side within the borders of the city, which have been expanded in recent years to accommodate the modern metropolis of the Condado district. With almost a half million inhabitants, San Juan is the current capital of Puerto Rico and the major center of economy, tourism, and culture for the island. Upon visiting this beautiful city you might be surprised to discover that it has been divided into New San Juan and Old San Juan; this was done specifically in order to accommodate continued economic growth and historical preservation. In fact, Old San Juan is not even on the mainland of Puerto Rico. Instead it sits on an island no larger than a square mile, and connects to the rest of its mainland city by several bridges.
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El Morro Fortress
Within Old San Juan, several impressive structures have been awarded the international designation of "World Heritage Site", which has conferred to them a status equal in importance to that of the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Majal. El Morro Fortress, also known as the El Morro Castle, is one of these important sites, and boasts the history of having protected the city from the Dutch, the English, and even pirate attacks. This mammoth structure took almost 50 years to be built, starting in 1540; additions to the fortress were later made in the 1700’s. The walls of El Morro are 18 feet thick and rise up to 140 feet above the sea, which affords a spectacular view. Complete with dungeons and barracks, El Morro was a formidable fortress that fell only once, to the forces of the Earl of Cumberland in 1598. Today, the fortress is presented as it stood back then; in 1992, a project was completed restoring it to its original state in honor of the 500 year anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of Puerto Rico. back to top

Garitas
A unique aspect of the Puerto Rican fortresses are its garitas, which are small, circular sentry posts where guards would stand watch, and which today can still be found all along the city walls of Old San Juan, as well as El Morro and La Fortazela fortresses. The garitas provided protection for the city, and protection for the guards as well; their long, narrow openings made it difficult for enemy gunfire to hit the targets inside. If you happen to notice how short and compact each post is, you might be led to discover on your own that the garitas accommodated soldiers that were usually no higher than 5 feet. The posts were also not all built at once but over time, which accounts for a marked architectural diversity; each post reflects a different era, and so in its modern turn, the garita has become a national symbol to Puerto Rico. back to top

City Gates
Another form of protection was offered by the city gates, which weren’t built until the end of the 1700s. A total of six gates were constructed to defend the city from invaders, and were closed every day at sundown. The city walls were so massive, sometimes 20 feet thick and 50 feet high, that these gates were the only sources of entry to the city. The San Juan Gate located near the governor’s mansion is one of them. It was especially important, as it was the main gate through which sea travelers, and important visiting officials entered the city after debarking their ships. back to top

Casa Blanca Mansion
In 1521, The Casa Blanca mansion was built to house and protect the governor Ponce de Leon, as the threat of attack was very real. Interestingly enough, Ponce de Leon never lived there himself, but his family did, as did his descendants for the next 250 years. It wasn’t until 1779 when the Spanish militia claimed Casa Blanca for their own use, that the mansion took on a different military function. It was later to be occupied by the United States militia from 1878-1966, at which time it was transformed to its current state as a museum.
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Fortaleza Fortress
Twenty years after the Casa Blanca mansion was built, another building, The Fortaleza Fortress, later know as the Palacio de Santa Catalina, was completed. Having been built as a defense for the harbor entrance to ward off attacks by the Carib Indians, it was unfortunately found insufficient for this purpose; it later became the official governor's residence. It has served as housing for 170 governors including the current governor of Puerto Rico. In addition to the residing governors, the Fortaleza was at one time inhabited by the Earl of Cumberland who invaded in 1598, and later by the Dutch invader General Boudewijn Hendricksz in 1625. Although reconstruction occurred in 1640 due to fire damage, major remodeling that would turn the fortress into a palace did not happen until 1846. back to top

Casa Alcadia & Capitol Building
Other historical government sites in San Juan include the city hall "Casa Alcaldia", and the Capitol building. Construction of Casa Alcaldia began in 1602. The structure you see today is a result of the remodeling that was undertaken in 1840, with the intent of replicating the front exterior of Madrid’s own city hall in Spain; this it does, precisely. The Capitol, built in the 1920’s maintains its function as an office building for Puerto Rico’s Senators and Representatives. It also houses galleries and hosts exhibitions of paintings, sculpture and mosaic work, as well as the Puerto Rican Constitution. Here culture, history and art meet in the grandest tradition, and in some of the Caribbean’s most inspiring and accomplished displays. back to top

San Juan Cathedral
As early as the 1520's, numerous houses of worship were being built to accommodate the spiritual welfare of the new inhabitants. The San Juan Cathedral is only one of many churches that serves as a particularly beautiful symbol of the centuries-old commitment of the Spanish monarchy to the place of Christianity in Spanish society and culture; and this influence is still felt today. The San Juan Cathedral dates back to 1522, and was originally a wood structure with a thatched roof. After enduring hurricanes as well as looting, it was eventually rebuilt, remodeled, and finally transformed into the Medieval cathedral you see today. During the18th and 19th centuries, it became customary for seafarers to go directly to the cathedral from the city’s symbolic entrance gate, Puerta de San Juan, in order to give thanks to God for their safe passage. With regular services still being held, this authentic gothic church is a rare find among other New World lands and houses the marble tomb of Ponce de Leon. back to top

Capilla del Cristo
Although much of Puerto Rico’s history has been well documented, myths and legends still abound that endow an atmosphere of mystery to this ancient land. One such story is about the little chapel Capilla del Cristo that can still be visited on the edge of Calle del Cristo in Old San Juan. Legend tells that a horse and its rider galloped up the hill and right off the edge of the cliff to their death. No one knows for sure if the chapel was built as a memorial for the horse and rider, or if it was intended to guard others from the edge, and further injury and death. And so it stands today, perhaps also representing the highest melding of artistic style with functionality, that can be desired. back to top

La Rogativa
One of San Juan’s more traditional memorial statues depicts the historic episode known as La Rogativa. In 1797 the city was held under siege by the British Navy; it was positioned outside the city’s walls, and prevented much needed supplies from entering. The governor ultimately ordered the Bishop to plead for holy intercession, as only a miracle was thought to be able to save the city. The statue commemorates the Bishop, the clergy and the women who comprised the torch-lit procession of faith that the enemy mistook for the approach of troop reinforcements, and because of which the British “miraculously” abandoned their attack. back to top

Located on the northeast side of Puerto Rico is El Yunque, the Caribbean National Forest. This beautiful and inviting rain forest is filled with lush vegetation, breathtaking waterfalls, and a constant pitter-patter of water falling from the trees, making for an experience soothing to all of the forest’s guests.
Puerto Rico also boasts a claim to one of the world’s longest underground rivers, the camuy river. This river can be explored by way of a series of caves that not only allow you to follow the river, but also dazzle you with spectacular colors and awe-inspiring formations. Our DVD "Treasures of the South Caribbean" will also take you through the third-largest cave system in the world, the Rio Camuy Cave Park.

Museums & Galleries
Strolling around Old San Juan, you will find many museums and galleries reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the island. Here is a listing of just a few museums. Although quite often posted, the best way to find out about visiting hours, is really to go there.

African Heritage Museum San José Plaza, San Sebastián St., San Juan, PR 0090
Caparra Ruins Historical Museum & Park, Guaynabo, PR 00968 (apr. 20 minute car ride from Old San Juan)
Casa Alonso Museum of Art, History & Culture, 34 Betances St., Vega Baja, PR 00693 (apr. 35 min. from Old San Juan)
Casa Blanca Museum, 1 San Sebastián St., San Juan, PR 00901
Children Museum, 150 Cristo St., San Juan, PR 00901
Felisa Rincón de Gautier Museum, 51 Caleta de San Juan St., San Juan, PR 00901
Francisco Oller Art Museum, Bayamón, PR 00960 (apr. 20 minute car ride from Old San Juan)
La Casa del Libro Museum, 255 Cristo St.,San Juan, PR 00901
Las Americas Museum, Norzagaray St., San Juan, PR 00901
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, 300 De Diego Ave., San Juan, PR 00911
Museum of Contemporary Art, Rafael M. De Labra Historic Building, Ponce de León Ave,
Museum of History, Anthropology, and Art, next to the José M. Lázaro Library at the Univ. of PR, Río Piedras Campus
Pablo Casals Museum 101 San Sebastián St., Corner, Cristo St., San José Plaza, San Juan, PR 00901
Puerto Rico Indian Museum, Norzagary St., San Juan, PR 00901
San Juan Museum, 150 Norzagaray St., San Juan, PR 00901

In order to experience Puerto Rico's arts and culture, you don't even have to visit any of the above mentioned museums. Even though Old San Juan is one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the city is still vibrantly alive with color, music, and dancing, and chances are that you will meet some of Puerto Rico's most renowned artists just by walking through San Juan's cobblestone streets.

One of these outstanding artists is Sandra Jusino, a young Puerto Rican artist who doesn't paint with a brush, but rather with her heart and soul. Sandra owns a small, but very charming gallery located next to Capilla del Cristo, where she showcases some of her masterpieces, as well as Puerto Rican handcrafts. Sandra Jusino's painting are very unique and the closest way to describe her style of painting is probably "Puerto Rican history meets Surrealism". When Sandra Jusino enrolled at Puerto Rico's Art School, "Liga de Arte", her teachers response was simple, "What are you doing here? We should be learning from you".

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