Exploring Old San Juan

1. Exploring Old San Juan The Fab 5’s Tour of the Town Saturday, May 19th

2. Tour Agenda • 5:30pm: PA girls pick up walking tour brochures from La Casita – down at Pier 1 • 6 pm: Fab 5 finally meet at Sheraton • 6:15 – 9:15 pm: Tour Highlights • Plaza de Colon • Castillo de San Cristóbal (smaller fort) • Plaza del QuintoCentenario (2-tiered plaza w/ giant obelisk) • Cementerio de Santa María Magdalena (red dome) • Fort (preview) • Casa Blanca (family home of Ponce de Leon) • Cathedral de San Juan • 9:30 pm: Supper

3. Dinner spots??? Jibarito Bombonera Sheraton

4. Let’s Meet at the Sheraton! The best way to begin our exploration is to take a 2 hour walking tour of Old San Juan.  We will pick up a copy of this self-guided walking tour map at La Casita, the tourist information center, located next to Pier 1, right on the waterfront.

5. Plaza de Sa Colón • Plaza de Colón (Columbus square) was originally called St. James Square was renamed in 1893 to honor Christopher Columbus on the 400th anniversary of his discovery of Puerto Rico; bronze tablets at the pedestal of the Columbus statue record important episodes in the explorer's life.

6. Castillo de San Cristóbal • Castillo de San Cristóbal is El Morro's partner in the city's defense. Built in 1634 (completed in 1771), it was considered the Gibraltar of the West Indies. San Cristóbal was supported by a massive system of outworks which provided defense in depth and is is one of the largest defenses ever built in the Americas. It rose 150 feet, covering 27 acres of land. As if its size and height weren't sufficient to intimidate enemies, its intricate modular design was sure to foil them. A strategic masterpiece, it features five independent units, each connected by moat and tunnel; each fully self-sufficient should the others fall. It's a World Heritage and National Historic Site, administered by the U.S. National Park Service. Open daily from 9am to 6pm. Plaza de Colon Castillo de San Cristobal

7. Approaching El Morro – the old fort • Cementerio de San Juan (San Juan Cemetery) is located between El Morro and the rocky cliffs above the Atlantic is considered one of the most picturesque of burial grounds anywhere. The cemetery is particularly noteworthy for its elaborate tombstones and the circular neoclassical chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalen. The most notable piece is a circular, red-domed chapel, which dates back to the late 19th century.

8. El Morro With a history that dates 500 years, this stone structure truly deserves its place of honor in the National Historic Register. The English and the Dutch attacked the Morro repeatedly in its time. Located on the San Juan Bay, the six-story fort was originally constructed in 1540, although its exterior walls were not erected for another 200 years. Inside the walls is a veritable labyrinth of chambers, barracks, hallways and prison cells. The fort was given a complete facelift in 1992. Open daily 9am – 6 pm. Admission is $3

9. Views from the Fort Walking the wall of the fort will provide amazing views of the ocean. I’m seeing a serious photo op!!

10. Casa Blanca Walk down the street with Plaza de Beneficencia on the left. At the southwest corner of the plaza is the entrance to Casa Blanca, the original home of the Ponce de León family. Juan Ponce de Leon was the guy looking for the fountain of youth and found Florida instead. He served as governor of Puerto Rico for a bit, but was removed from office because of his brutality to the natives.

11. Catedral de San Juan The Catedral de San Juan (San Juan Cathedral) was built in the 1520's, the original church on these grounds had wooden walls and a thatched roof. It was destroyed by hurricane in 1526 (October 4th), rebuilt in in 1540, looted in 1598, and damaged by another hurricane in 1615. This Cathedral is an authentic and rare New World example of medieval architecture. The cathedral contains the marble tomb of the island's first governor Juan Ponce de León and the relic of San Pio, a Roman martyr. San Juan Cathedral still holds religious services on a regular schedule. It is also open for tours daily from 8:30am to 4pm.

12. Rest of the tour…If you are running out of time, take the street on the south side of the plaza (the Catedral is on the east) and walk downhill past La Fortaleza and through the Puerta de San Juan. Turn left and follow Paseo de La Princesa, past the Raíces fountain and the La Princesa building (the executive office of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company). Go to the end of the Paseo, and walk to the water on your right. La Casita will be in front of you.THE FULL TOURFrom the Plaza de la Catedral, continue down Cristo Street one more block to San Francisco Street and take a left. A block down San Francisco is the Plaza de Armas. This is the original main city square as evidenced by the Casa del Ayuntamiento (City Hall). Retrace your steps to Cristo Street, and turn left. You will find yourself in one of the major shopping areas of Old San Juan. When you reach the part where the street is blocked off, turn right and walk to La Fortaleza (the executive mansion for the Governor of Puerto Rico). Tours are available in both English and Spanish. Go back to Cristo Street and turn right. At the very end of the street is the Capilla del Cristo and (on your right) the Parque de las Palomas. Go left around the Capilla del Cristo and you are now on Tetuán St. Continue down Tetuán until you reach San Justo Street (your 3rd right). Turn right on San Justo and walk to the water. La Casita is on your left.

13. Shopping, Of Course Most of the shopping in Old San Juan is done in the numerous shops along Cristo, Fortaleza and San Francisco streets. The best spots to buy high-quality crafts are the two craft markets.

14. Finally, Dinner For a casual, family-run place in Old San Juan with good local food —mofongo, or mashed plantain, is a Puerto Rican specialty but children will probably prefer the sugary plantain version — try El Jibarito (280 Calle Sol, Old San Juan, 787-725-8375; www.eljibaritopr.com), where you can expect to pay about $30 for two for dinner.