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”
“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”
-Sentry, alert?
– Alert I am!
The Spanish soldiers that stood guard at the different posts of the forts of San Juan, made sure that their companions were awake, alert and out of danger in their respective sentry boxes, or watchtowers by shouting out this call sign and response. Continue reading “The “Espigón” Fort – San Juan, Puerto Rico”
For a long time we have observed the Fort of Saint Christopher (Castillo de San Cristóbal) in Old San Juan (Puerto Rico) recognizing it is a very well thought out and achieved military structure . During a recent visit we confirmed how advanced the Spaniards were in terms of strategic military knowledge, turning the “Castillo de San Cristóbal” into the largest fortification in the Americas. Continue reading “Fort of Saint Christopher, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico”
The umbrellas are not only used to shelter us from the rain, or merely the sun’s rays, but also to draw everyone’s attention to their colorful and three-dimensional shape. Thus they have become an attraction in the streets of some cities of the world and in Puerto Rico, it is not the exception. Continue reading “The Colorful Umbrellas”