Walking around Old San Juan is the best way to explore it. It has over 500 years of history, beautiful preserved colonial architecture with its tropical colors, and a timeless sleepy charm that makes it one of the most enchanting destinations in the Caribbean.
La Rogativa
La Rogativa means “The Procession,” and the sculpture shows a procession of faithful Catholics holding torches and crosses aloft. It is known that the procession took place in 1797, an act of faith during an invasion of Puerto Rico by the British. However, the legend goes that the British having seen the figures in the distance and believing they were Spanish reinforcements, gave up the attack.
Walking down Cristo Street, one of Old San Juan’s busiest and most picturesque streets, you’ll find plenty of restaurants. There are many landmarks also, such as the La Catedral de San Juan the largest and most revered Cathedral on the island.
On Fortaleza Street you can walk to La Fortaleza which is the oldest governor’s mansion in the western hemisphere, and has housed 170 governors of Puerto Rico. It was also the island’s first true fortress. Its distinctive blue-and-white facade was not completed until 1846, when it became the exclusive residence of the governors.
Castillo de San Cristóbal, is the largest fort in Puerto Rico, and the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the Western Hemisphere. It was completed in 1785 and covers 27 acres of land and rises almost 150 feet above sea level.
