While visiting Rio Piedras (Puerto Rico), we strolled about the “Plaza de Recreo” and there she was standing tall, the Our Lady of the Pilar Church. It was Thursday, January 6, 2022, the Day of the Three Kings, the mass celebrating the Epiphany had just concluded and we did not think twice about discovering her. Continue reading “Our Lady of the Pilar Church”
We longed desired to visit a building that is observed looming over a great wall, grew with each visit to Old San Juan. It is “la Casa Blanca” or the White House. It is the structure in Puerto Rico and in all of the Americas that has been open and operational for the longest period of time with over 500 years since constructed. The White House / Casa Blanca is located at the start of the San Sebastian Street and the corner of the Casa Blanca Street in Old San Juan, being the first fortification on the islet of Puerto Rico, today known as San Juan. Continue reading “The White House of Puerto Rico”
“Ignorance is bliss”, a very popular phrase that is used when people do certain actions (whatever they are), ignoring the good or bad consequences that may result from said action. We can say that something of this sort has happened with the staircase, dome and the structure that supports the “State” Staircase of the Santa Catalina Palace found on the grounds of La Fortaleza in Old San Juan, in Puerto Rico. A jewel that in 2015 was returned closely to its splendor of the 19th century.
This structure not only faced natural deterioration over the years as caused by time, humidity or pollutants, but also faced the worst of interventions, a product of ignorance, when it was covered countless times with thick layers of ordinary paint, hiding its original coloring and beauty.
Thanks to the restoration efforts of committed professionals and students, in 2015, the ignorance boldly embodied in the staircase through the years, was returned as close as possible to its origins in the year 1845, when Puerto Rico was a Overseas Province of Spain. Today, the Santa Catalina Palace and its staircase are a heritage site of Puerto Rico and a world heritage site, declared by UNESCO.
Close to turning 500 years old, the long-awaited re-opening of the San José Church of Old San Juan took place on Friday, March 19, 2021. An ideal date, coinciding with the celebration of the Year of San José (Saint Joseph), as designated by Pope Francis, on the occasion of celebrating 150 years of being declared patron of the universal Church. Continue reading “The “San José” Church of Old San Juan; from our point of view”
In 1532, work began on the construction of the “Santo Tomás de Aquino” Convent of the Order of the Dominicans of San Juan.
Continue reading “Saint Joseph Church – Old San Juan, Puerto Rico”
We received recommendations to visit The Gallery Inn in Old San Juan (Puerto Rico), and during one of our usual strolls through the walled city, we decided to visit it. In reality, they fell short when describing the complex and everything it houses. It is simply a wonderful and magical place. Full of art, music, history, antiquity, in short, in every corner you breathe beauty, tranquility, peace. Continue reading “The Gallery Inn in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico”
Upon observing the facade of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Yauco, Puerto Rico, we knew that it had to have some Mozarabic influence. The high arches, the decorative details of the tower, such as the tower itself, the windows with their pointed arches, or the pointed arch, characteristic of Muslim architecture and later used by Gothic architecture. Elements that made us remember many places visited in Spain. Continue reading “Our Lady of the Rosary Church – Yauco, Puerto Rico”
The “Cruceta del Vigia” de Ponce (a Crow’s Nest Cross or lookout point), is located in the same spot on the hill where the Spanish inhabitants watched the ships and boats that arrived at the port of the city, and thus recognize where it came from, or if it was an invader or pirate . Continue reading “Crow’s Nest Cross – Ponce, Puerto Rico”
The Church San Germán de Auxerre, in San Germán, Puerto Rico, was founded in 1510, being in its origins a construction of wood and straw, as initially were the religious structures of those times. In 1688 a Real Certificate was produced by which the King of Spain granted 500 pesos to San Germán to repair the church. Continue reading “The Church San Germán de Auxerre – San German, Puerto Rico”
“Love the light of justice who is at the service of his people.” Thus reads an inscription in Latin at the main entrance of this structure, known as the Mayor’s Office or City Hall of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Continue reading “Town Hall – San Juan, Puerto Rico”