Plaza Colon (Columbus Square) – originally named Santiago Square, a popular meeting place Among its key landmarks worth checking out are: To preserve its historic fortifications, the National Historic Site was established in 1949. In 1865, to facilitate the expansion of the city, the municipal government approved plan for demolishing the city walls along the eastern side.īy the late 1940s, the Old Town of San Juan had fallen into disrepair. Prior to the 19th century, the area outside the city walls, occupying the east side of Old San Juan Island, was almost uninhabited. The San Cristóbal fortress, the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the Americas, was completed in 1771.ĭuring the colonial times, most of the locals resided in what now is referred to as Old (Viejo) San Juan. Circumvallation of the city, commenced in 1630, was concluded by 1641. Added to this, in 1584, was the El Morro castle, designed for San Felipe del Morro. Among them is the La Fortaleza, aka Santa Catalina Palace, the oldest executive mansion still in use on the American continent, built between 15. Today, this lovely historic area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, is characterized by its narrow, blue cobblestone streets, and picturesque, brightly colored buildings, some of which date back almost 500 years. This was in keeping with the usual custom of christening the town with both its formal name and that which Christopher Columbus had originally given to the islands, honoring John the Baptist.
In 1521, the words "San Juan" were added to the official name, thus making it "San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico".
Founded by Spanish colonists in 1509 at a site then known as "Puerto Rico" (Rich Port), San Juan is the third oldest European-established capital in the Americas.
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