Puerto Rico boasts many historic places worth exploring, from Old San Juan’s centuries-old fortresses to Arecibo’s world’s largest radio telescope. Here is a list of historic spots you should consider visiting on your next island adventure.
Visit Old San Juan and its historic walls before touring El Morro – a fortress built to defend it against pirate attacks – before touring Old San Juan itself.
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza and the nearby San Juan National Historic Site, comprising Morro, San Cristobal and La Cruz forts plus part of the original city wall as well as La Cruz (El Cauelo) Fort, is an example of military architecture developed through centuries. It stands as one of the Caribbean’s premier examples.
Palacio de Santa Catalina was constructed between 1533 and 1540 at the request of King Charles V of Spain as an executive mansion that continues its use today in North America.
This building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983 and today serves as both home to Puerto Rico’s Governor and cultural hub for the island. Furthermore, this popular event venue.
San Juan Cathedral
Puerto Rico’s long and varied history may seem overwhelming to those unfamiliar with it, yet relics and ruins throughout its terrain give visitors access to this information in bite-sized pieces. One such relic is Old San Juan Cathedral: one of Puerto Rico’s grandest structures that also serves as one of its oldest churches – boasting two famous reliquaries within.
Castillo San Cristobal stands to one side of the cathedral as an immense fort with massive turrets and ramparts built to defend against land-based attacks; it was here that Juan Ponce de Leon began his search for the Fountain of Youth.
San Jose Church
San Jose Church was constructed in 1532 and stands as one of the two oldest churches in North America, boasting stunning 16th century Spanish Gothic architecture and breathtaking Isabelline Gothic vaults adorned with unique Catalan designs. Additionally, this church served as the initial site dedicated to honoring Virgin of the Rosary devotion throughout Puerto Rico – from its crypt!
Ricardo Gonzalez, who led this restoration effort, initially anticipated that it would take one year. Instead, workers probed with radar and laser technology and unearthed centuries-old techniques that had been lost. When he saw what had been uncovered he wept. Today the church has reopened to behold its wonders once more.
Tibes
Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center is one of the Antilles’ premier archaeological discoveries, offering insight into how Igneri and Tainos tribes lived prior to Christopher Columbus arriving on their respective islands.
Ponce Ceremonial Complex, known for being the oldest ceremonial site of its type in the Caribbean, was revealed in 1975 when tropical storm Eloise hit Ponce and caused flooding throughout its surrounding area.
Archaeologists have unearthed seven bateyes (Taino ball courts), two ceremonial plazas, 200 skeletons, and various artifacts during excavation work in Tulum.
Tibes’ research team is striving to understand cultural and social change in the Caribbean during this period. Luis Antonio Curet Slim, Director of this Project has written articles and written a book on this subject; in addition to leading archaeological excavations in Puerto Rico, Arizona and Veracruz.
Caguana
Caguana is one of the Caribbean’s premier archaeological sites, featuring petroglyphs, stone monoliths, ceremonial plazas and ball courts carved into rock. Situated in Utuado mountain town and accessible through paying an admission fee of five dollars for entrance.
The Taino people, natives to this island nation, consider Caguana sacred and are fighting hard to protect it. According to them, agencies responsible for its care seem unaware or unwilling to work cooperatively with them – refusing repeated requests from Naniki Reyes Ocasio who acts as spiritual caretaker of this site in her community.
Caguana is worth your effort as you’ll gain more insight into a culture that gave rise to Puerto Rico. However, its road leading there can be treacherous with sharp curves along PR-111 between Lares and Utuado – it could prove challenging but worthwhile!
