Reflection and References

Reflection

          Our mission was to explore Old San Juan, to take photos of 50 different places. We then had to post them, in this blog. It took us about 10 hours in total, and we had to go back to Old San Juan another time. Overall, it was one of the best projects we had ever done because we got to see new places, learn about them, and we were able to hang out and spend time together. Best of all, we had fun. Old San Juan has always been a famous place here in Puerto Rico, but we never knew much about it, and all of the interesting places that stand out in Old San Juan. We could have done better in posting the pictures and information in the blog, because there were a few times where we had to make many changes.  We had to change the amount of picture per day a few times due to problems and we had to change some information due to the lack of information that was put.  The next time we do a project like this, we have to find more information for each different topic, and we have to manage better how we post the blogs, and when do we post each page. Those were the only problems we experienced in the course of this project, but overall this was a breathtaking experience, that could be accepted if it ever had to be done, in the future, on a different place.

References

http://puertoricotourguidesociety.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=98338592

http://www.puertorico.com/sights/la-rogativa/

http://www.virtualpuertorico.com/san-jose-church.php

http://sanjuanciudadpatria.com/en/san-juan/

http://blog.masslive.com/elpueblolatino/2009/02/san_juan_historia_y_cultura_al.html

http://sanjuanciudadpatria.com/  

http://autogiro.cronicaurbana.com/tite-curet-alonso-la-escultura/

http://www.enciclopediapr.org/esp/article.cfm?ref=09113001 

www.elconvento.com/our-history.aspx

http://www.museofelisarincon.com/actividades.htm

http://newsismybusiness.com/historic-la-mallorquina-restaurant-in-osj-closes-after-86-years/

http://www.puertorico.com/museums/pablo-casals-museum/

http://sanjuanpuertorico.com/parque-luis-munoz-rivera-park/#16/18.4645/-66.0898

https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/munoz.html

http://www.discoveringpuertorico.com/parque-de-las-palomas-old-san-juan/

http://www.virtualpuertorico.com/colon-plaza.php

http://www.boriken365.com/index.php/tag/plaza-darsenas/

http://www.sheratonoldsanjuan.com/pdfs/sanjuanwalktour.pdf

http://cityseeker.com/san-juan/113949-plaza-d%C3%A1rsena

http://www.icp.gobierno.pr/quiene-somos/historia/118-history

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End of the Royal Trail Where the City Becomes the Bay

End of the Royal Trail

At the end of the one-mile trail found in front of the Door to San Juan, you can find the area where the ocean becomes San Juan Bay.

Along the way, you can find boards with information about the area.

Don Tito Curet Statue

Don Tito Curet Statue

Don Tito Curet statue: In Plaza de las Armas, you can find a statue created in honor of a famous musician called Don Tite Curet.

The statue was made by Luz Badillo, an artist from San Juan who was also a neighbor of the musician.

Teatro Tapia

Teatro Tapia

 In Old San Juan, there are plenty of performances held in Teatro Tapia, named after a well-known writer called Alejandro Tapia y Rivera.

Teatro Tapia was built in 1832 and is the oldest theater in Puerto Rico.

San Juan City Hall

San Juan City Hall

The San Juan City Hall is found near Plaza de las Armas. 

This city hall was built under the rule of Ramón de Castro y Guiterre.

San Juan Cathedral

San Juan Cathedral

Go down to San Juan Cathedral as well, where you can find very interesting artwork.

The San Juan Cathedral was created by Alonso Manso in the year 1521. It survived many natural disasters and went through many restoration projects.

San José Church

San José Church

The San José church was found in San José plaza.  This church was built in the 1530's by Dominican Friars and is one of the oldest buildings in Old San Juan.

The church was also the area where the famous artist José Campeche was buried. It is currently under restoration.

La Rogativa

La Rogativa

La Rogativa was found in the Plazuela de la Rogativa.  This statue was made by Lindsay Daen, an Artist from New Zealand on behalf of San Juan Bautista's 450th anniversary in 1923.

This statue serves as a symbol of his services, provided since 1709.

Raíces Fountain

Raíces Fountain

At the end of the Paseo de la Princesa, you can find the Raíces Fountain. This fountain was designed by Miguel A. Carlo.

The sculpture is the work of art of a Spanish artist called Luis A. Sanguino. Unveiled on May 30, 1992, this fountain symbolizes the roots that made up Puerto Rico’s culture.

La Puerta de San Juan

La Puerta de San Juan 

During your visit in Old San Juan, you can find the famous Door to San Juan.





On the door, you can find a marble sign on it with a Latin phrase that translates to, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”





Princesa Prison

Princesa Prison

Within San Juan, you can find the offices of the Tourism Company and a contemporary art exhibit hall, but this wasn’t always an office.  This used to be a prison that housed 240 prisoners until they stopped operations in 1960. You can also find a time capsule that is scheduled to be opened in the 18th of August of the year 2020.

Polvorín Santa Elena

Polvorín Santa Elena

Something else you can find in Old San Juan is the Polvorín Santa Elena.

You might have to deviate from the path to San Felipe del Morro, but you can find over there what used to be an ammunition storage. Just a few steps away is also the Cuerpo de Guardia de Bastión de Santa Elena. 

Plaza del Quinto Centenario

Plaza del Quinto Centenario

You can drop by the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, where you can find a well-known totem statue created by Jaime Suarez, as well as some institutes nearby, like the School of Plastic Arts.

Underneath the plaza, you can find parking for your convenience.

Plaza San José

Plaza San José

Plaza San José is another place you can visit, with a statue in memory of Juan Ponce de León and the San José Cathedral, which is currently under restoration.

It's a nice place to hang out with your friends and family.

Plaza de las Monjas

Plaza de las Monjas

 You can visit Plaza de las Monjas, where you can find the Hotel El Convento and the San Juan Cathedral nearby.

It also houses one of the oldest houses made in Old San Juan. This plaza is also known as Plaza Felicia Rincón de Gautier.

Escalinata de las Monjas

Escalinata de las Monjas

La escalinata de las monjas means, "The staircase of the nuns”. 

Going up and down the staircases through the colorful "Caleta de las Monjas" street is an experience you don't want to miss.   

El Hamburger

El Hamburger
 

El hamburger is a restaurant in Old San Juan that has been around for over 30 years.



It is located in Puerta de Tierra in Old San Juan and is always full of people.  The burgers as well as the fries are the best in town!  While you wait for your burger, you can look at the walls for posters of important artists and singers.

Garita del Diablo

Garita del Diablo



La Garita del Diablo is a place in Old San Juan that according to an old legend, there was a man named Sanchez, who went to guard that area and was well known for playing the guitar.  The morning after his shift to guard the sentry, he disappeared without a trace, and his rifle and uniform were found in the ground. 

People said that a demon had taken Sanchez; but in reality, he ran away with a girl that he fell in love with but was prohibited from his commander due to her having dark skin.

Legend says that in the Garita del Diablo, guitar noises and giggles are heard.  This is said to be Sanchez and his love, mocking those who believed that he was taken by a demon.

 

 

 

Galeria Nacional

Galeria Nacional

 

The Galeria Nacional contend the largest collection of Puerto Rican paintings.

It is located in the old Dominican Convents.  It contain paintings and art from Puerto Rican artists since the 18th century. 

 

Fuerte San Gerónimo

Fuerte San Gerónimo

 

 

The Fuerte San Gerónimo was a fort that was built during the 17th century to replace a smaller battery, called El Boquerón, that was used by the Spanish to defend San Juan from attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595 and George Clifford in 1598, who managed to destroy it during his attack.

San Gerónimo became part of San Juan's first line of defense along side others such as the San Antonio Fort, Escambrón Fort and the Castillo de San Cristóbal.

 

La Fortaleza

La Fortaleza



La Fortaleza is the official home for the Puerto Rico's governor.  It is a Neoclassical structure built in 1540.  The Fortaleza was also called El Palacio de Santa Catalina.

It didn’t do so well in its earlier years because it was taken over by many people like, Earl of Cumberland in 1598 and the Dutch Commander Boudewyn Hendrick in 1625.

In 1846, it was remodeled to be used as the governor’s house.  This building has been the home of about 170 of our island's governors.

Escuela de Artes Plásticas

Escuela de Artes Plásticas

 

The Escuela de Artes Plásticas (School of Plastic Arts) was originated from the workshops given by the Institute of Puertorrican culture and has transformed itself into an advanced educational place dedicated to arts.  

The school offers advanced degreed in plastic arts specifically for the following Arts and Graphics, Digital arts, Art Design, Sculpture, Painting, Industrial Design and Fashion Design. 

Classes are also given to kids, teens and adults.  The faculty at the Escuela de Artes Plásticas include artists and professional designers that have been recognized internationally.