Not just any fort, but Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, known locally as El Morro.
This intimidating fortress on a promontory at the end of a peninsula guarded
the entrance to San Juan Bay, San Juan's harbor,
and the gateway to Spanish possessions in the New World.
And see it I did, in a very fast visit. I need to go back ~ lol!
Almost There! Bucket List, For Sure!Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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King Charles V of Spain ordered its construction and work began in 1539
on a small round tower and battery at the base of the promontory (morro).
Over the next two hundred years, day laborers, slaves, prisoners,
off-duty soldiers, and civilians worked to transform the modest original structure
into the massive, six-level fortification that still stands today.
Castillo de San Felipe del Morro
A schematic Diagram of El Morro
Terry's and my biggest problem was finding the fortress.
Pretty funny, eh?
And to top it all off, we overslept, leaving less time to visit
the fortress before we had to board our ship.
Our dark, windowless, quiet room allowed us to sleep, unaware of the passing time.
When we woke up, jumped into our clothes and raced outside, the streets were deserted.
La FactorÃa, a lively popular bar that rocked until 4:00 am
just yards from our room at #52 Calle de San José, was silent.
We didn't see a single person, and every place was closed.
We headed down the hill looking for a place where we could get breakfast.
And then we saw an encouraging sight,
proof that something was open nearby and frequented by locals:
Patiently Waiting (and Hoping for a Bit of Breakfast)
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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We had stumbled upon El Mesón Sandwiches, a Puerto Rican source of pride.
It started as a small diner in Aguadilla in 1972 where Felipe Pérez (Sr.) served up
home-style sandwiches and hot home-style breakfasts.
It has grown into Puerto Rico's largest and fastest-growing restaurant chain.
We were hungry and the food smelled delicious.
I felt sympathy for the dogs patiently waiting in an adjacent area.
They were probably hoping their owners would bring goodies for them.
Terry Orders Breakfast at El Mesón
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Delicious!
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Fortified with a hearty breakfast we went looking for El Morro.
Some friendly locals set us on the right course:
"It's a bit of a walk, but take that street until it ends at a fountain.
Turn right at the fountain. Walk until you see a red door.
Go through the door and walk up the hill to the fort."
"That street" turned out to be Paseo de la Princesa,
the most beloved promenade in Puerto Rico.
Dating back to 1853, the esplanade is lined
with venders, sculptures, small parks, and gardens,
and it hugs the huge 17th century walls that protect
the southern end of old San Juan.
A Small Playground Beneath the Old City Walls
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Jardin del Paseo la Princesa
April 15, 2023
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Paseo de la Princesa
April 15, 2023
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Paseo de la Princesa led us to the famous Raices Fountain that commemorates
the 500th anniversary of Spain's "discovery" of the Americas.
Architect Miguel Carlo designed the bronze statues to honor
Puerto Rico's mixed heritage of African, Spanish and Taino peoples.
Leaping dolphins lead a ship carrying the people out to sea and into a bright future.
Raices Fountain
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Raices Fountain
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Raices Fountain
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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A walkway runs past the fountain, below La Fortaleza,
and along the base of the massive city walls.
Terry Hugging the Base of the Walls
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The Walls Beneath La Fortaleza
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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La Fortaleza is the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico.
It was built between 1533 and 1540 to protect San Juan's harbor.
This is the oldest continuously used executive mansion in the Americas.
La Fortaleza and the City Wall
So I'm walking along this wall and hoping I don't miss the red doorbecause I'm distracted by work crews and beautiful San Juan Bay.
I had no idea what this red door looked like,
although Terry did because he had read the guide books.
But he's walking on well ahead of me, having perfected a pace
that keeps me moving as I take too many photographs.
Hard at Work
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Looking Toward the Entrance to San Juan Bay
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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And then I saw The Red Door!
Not a chance in the world I could miss it,
since it was 16 feet high in a wall that was 20 feet thick!
The "Red Door"
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The San Juan Gate
Information Sign
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The San Juan Gate was the formal or symbolic entrance
to the city from the 1500s through the 1800s.
Through this gate passed the dignitaries, documents, and money
to carry out the will of the Spanish Crown in the Americas.
Four other gates within the three-mile wall surrounding the city controlled
the movement of everyday traffic, materials, and supplies.
Named for St. John the Baptist, the top of the gate bears the inscription
"Benedictus Oui Venit In Nomine Domini.”
This means "Welcome those who come in the name of God,"
a testament to Puerto Rico's colonial, Catholic, and Spanish heritage.
Only the San Juan Gate remains today.
Benedictus Oui Venit In Nomine Domini
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The View to the Left as We Walk Through the San Juan Gate
April 15, 2023
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Beyond the gate was a lovely neighborhood of colonial homes
lining blue cobblestone streets.
Colonial Homes and Cobble Stone Streets
April 15, 2023
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Looking Back Toward La Fortaleza and the City Wall Under Repair
April 15, 2023
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Feral Cats, as in So Many Other Places
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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And finally, there it was: Castillo de San Felipe del Morro!
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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To be continued ...
Including the fortress in this post would have been way to much!
And for Nicole's FFO I have a face that has nothing
to do with San Juan, fortresses, or traveling:
A Mule Deer Along Piney Creek
in Her Scruffy Spring Coat
May 8, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Till next time ~Fundy Blue
My next post will be soon! 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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