A Day as a Tourist at Old San Juan:
El Morro, San Juan:
The Old San Juan is the oldest city in Puerto Rico and the second oldest in New World. It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Every time I visit the Old San Juan I discover something fascinating and magnificent of it.
For many tourist, who come for the first time, visiting Puerto Rico on cruise ships cannot leave without visiting and knowing the historical places of Old San Juan. One of the most impressive part in this place is El Morro Fort. El Morro Fort, also known as Fort San Felipe del Morro, is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Puerto Rico, receiving more than 2 million visitors annually.
Today, I started the morning off early with a walk through the streets of Old San Juan. There I spend my time visiting many historical places, and taking pictures and videos of it. One of my favorite attractions was to visit the Spanish forts in the earlier part of the day. I decided to start my tour at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a defensive fort built in 1539, because it is one of the two historic fortresses in San Juan that is surrounded by large grass fields and where tourists and locals enjoy the large open spaces with picnics, food carts, flying kites, people watching, or even an impromptu ballgame. The whole fortification and the surrounding grounds are encircle by the historical protective city walls well known as La Muralla. However, the walls on the southern and western side is the Paseo del Morro, which one can see a walking trail, lined with street lamps, with an extraordinary views of San Juan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Then I went to explore on my own the other fortress, which is known as the Castillo San Cristóbal that is located at the opposite end of town. Built in 1664, this fort at one point it covered 27 acres of land and was constructed to protect San Juan from land attack. San Cristobal Fort,like El Morro, has several levels and offers a grand views of the San Juan coast and the city of Old San Juan.
San Juan demands a walking tour in order to know the city. As I saw different types of houses and shops adorn the blue glazed cobbled streets. I really had fun touring Old San Juan.
http://www.discoveringpuertorico.com/2010/04/san-cristobal-fort-old-san-juan/
I share with you the same feeling about the Old San Juan. I also discover something fascinating when I visit it. I am totally agree with you about San Juan demands a walking tour in order to know the city, because I had the same experience. I love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteThere is always new to see every day in Puerto Rico and the Old San Juan is one of those places. You can always learn and discover something new from it, if you see it from difference perspectives every time you go. I also love your pictures, they seems like you really spent an amazing time.
ReplyDeleteI like too the Old San Juan is a fascinating place with a lot of history. You put a beautiful pictures. I like your blog and I see you have a great time in San Juan.
ReplyDeleteI love Old San Juan and I also love to pass by the Morro when I go. It's been a long time since I've visited though. Great job in describing your day as a tourist!
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