Old San Juan, A Colorful Journey Through Colonial Charm

104, Paseo Covadonga, Puerta de Tierra, San Juan Antiguo, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00901, USA

Colorful houses

4.9

Introduction

Old San Juan is Puerto Rico's oldest settlement and was a part of San Juan's colonial history. It is one of two blocks that make up the city of San Juan, the other being Santurce. Before 1864, they together formed the San Juan town. Prior to 1951, they annexed the formerly independent city of Río Piedras. Old San Juan is located on a narrow island near Puerto Rico's northern coast, approximately 35 miles (56 km) east of the island's eastern end, connected to mainland Puerto Rico via three bridges. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay, with the San Felipe del Morro Fortress located at the west end of the bay entrance, which includes a lighthouse. The city is characterized by narrow, cobblestone streets and flat-topped brick and stone buildings built in the 16th and 17th centuries, presenting a Spanish ambiance. Its historic buildings and museums, open-air cafes, restaurants, old tree-shaded plazas, and architectural features attract many local and international visitors. The city area without walls was undeveloped and sparsely populated until the 19th century. Old San Juan and La Fortaleza were designated as world Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1983 and are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. They are one of Puerto Rico's major tourist attractions.