The one thing that I absolutely had to see in Old San Juan was the fort.
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
All Rights Reserved
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 Factoría, 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
All Rights Reserved
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
All Rights Reserved
Delicious!
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
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
All Rights Reserved
Jardin del Paseo la Princesa
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Paseo de la Princesa
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
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
All Rights Reserved
Raices Fountain
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Raices Fountain
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
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
All Rights Reserved
The Walls Beneath La Fortaleza
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
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
because 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
All Rights Reserved
Looking Toward the Entrance to San Juan Bay
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
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
All Rights Reserved
The San Juan Gate
Information Sign
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
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
All Rights Reserved
The View to the Left as We Walk Through the San Juan Gate
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Beyond the gate was a lovely neighborhood of colonial homes
lining blue cobblestone streets.
Colonial Homes and Cobble Stone Streets
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Looking Back Toward La Fortaleza and the City Wall Under Repair
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Feral Cats, as in So Many Other Places
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
And finally, there it was: Castillo de San Felipe del Morro!
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
To be continued ...
Including the fortress in this post would have been way to much!
I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date and Nicole's Friday Face Off.
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
All Rights Reserved
Have a great weekend!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
My next post will be soon! 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Well, now you've got the perfect excuse to go back to Puerto Rico to take a longer tour of the Fortress! And next time you won't have to hunt for it, LOL.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Debra! I'm already campaigning to go back! I love Puerto Rico! I've only been in Old San Juan, but I loved the feeling of being immersed in history. And I do love history, thanks to my dad who was passionate about it. Have a great weekend! Hugs to you!
DeleteMust have been a bit weird to come out and find everything bare like all got abducted by aliens but you two haha
ReplyDeleteYep. One sure would have to be blind to miss that big red door. Too funny that he has perfected the perfect stroll to stay just far ahead of you as you snap away lol
Sure got some great shots. Quite the interesting spot to stroll through. Nice of some locals to tell you where to go too.
It was weird, Pat! Eerie! Like you stepped through a time portal between moments, and no one was visible because they were out of time-sync with us. When you've been together over forty years, you've found ways to deal with each other's idiosyncrasies ~ and both of us have a lot ~ lol! It was nice of the locals to help us out, although something was lost in translation with "red door." When I visit a place the first time, I like to have few preconceptions, so I was unaware of the San Juan Gate, although I certainly knew about El Morro. The "red door" was such a surprise, and what a thrill to walk through it and to imagine carrying gold and important papers for the colonial leaders like Ponce de Leon. I could feel it! Have a great weekend, my friend!
DeleteThank you so much - for taking us with you and for the plethora of photos. I am looking forward to seeing more. A lot more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! Oh, I have more photos ~ lol! You're kind to put up with me!
DeleteI've had a wonderful time reading and looking at the pictures of your travels. The pics reminded me of the part of Spain my late son resided and I lived there for a while so it brought back meories. Thank you for sharing your travels, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHope you are well.
Yvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne! It brings me joy to be able to share my photos and travels with others. I'm glad they reminded you of the times you spent with your son in Spain. Have a lovely weekend! Hugs to you!
DeleteWonderful post and pics Fundy Blue, it was a real delight to read.
ReplyDeleteI did send another comment but it didn't get to you.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful time you had.
Yvonne.
You're so kind to be persistent, Yvonne! Your comments made it!
DeleteDid you get my comment as I think there is provlem.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yes there is a problem, Yvonne! Me! Pressing issues sidetracked me this week and I was late getting to blogging, posting, and answering comments.
DeleteOMGosh. What a trip/vacation. I would so love to go there. I can't imagine being in a windowless room. That would kind of freak me out. LOL However, the food the streets and fortress. What a wonder. I love your photo too sitting by the sign. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicole! I didn't mind the windowless room, nor our windowless cabin on our cruise ship. I fell into bed every night wiped out, so I was quickly asleep. I think it would be difficult to be deep in a dark cave though. That would freak me out! Enjoy your weekend. Happy creating!
DeleteIt is such a wonderful heavily fortified place. The fountain looks so polished and immaculate.
ReplyDeleteThe fountain was lovely, Roentare. There were wonderful sculptures and art all over Old San Juan, from 500 years ago and from very recent tagging on many surfaces. I really enjoyed the walls and fortifications. I could almost feel the emotions of the people manning them. Have a great weekend!
DeleteNice photos
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteYou had a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing the photos. The red door would be hard to miss indeed! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun for me to share my photos, Valerie! It was a fun trip. I was floored by the red "door." It was a fun surprise. I hope that you are enjoying your weekend! Hugs to you!
DeleteYou caught my attention right off the bat with the photo of your next to fort sign-and it's a National Monument. I love visiting National PArk places and checking them off my list. Do you do that in your travels or have any special thing you like to keep track of Maybe it's just me and my list making love. And old San Juan does look beautiful. I've added it to my list. I'm glad you shared these pretty views with us. Thanks and happy weekend Louise. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteHi, Erica! Your list is making is far more interesting than mine. I keep track of what I eat and the distance I walk each day, plus a few more health and fitness things. As of yesterday I have walked 8560.8 miles in my retirement (actually walking, not just turning all my steps into miles). Pretty anal, ey? ~ lol!
DeleteThat said, I have a mental list of places I want to go, and it includes a lot of National Parks and Monuments. We're supposed to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on September 1st, a place very dear to my heart. But it may get cancelled because I have to have an eye operation.
My absolute favorite National Monument is Bears Ears. It's gigantic and I've been to many sites within it. I think it is one of the most beautiful regions in the world, especially if you like canyon lands as gorgeous rocks. Thank goodness for Obama and Biden protecting it. I'd go back in a heartbeat, but most of it is very remote.
I hope you are enjoying a great weekend! Hugs to you!
I have been to San Juan, and even had a short tour by a resident who took us to Old Dan Juan. So beautiful there. I actually wanted to go back and live there. But...i never got to see the Fort. What??? What is wrong with me! :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome, JC! It's nice to meet you! The one thing I've learned about traveling is you never get to see everything in a place you visit. Maybe one day you'll have a chance to see El Morro. Meanwhile you have other lovely memories to enjoy. I fell in love with Puerto Rico and its people. What a heart-warming place! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteI enjoy this photo journey you shared, what a wonderful place to visit. The governor has a great white mansion to live in and I like the red gate and its welcome to those who come in the name of God. The area is beautiful.
ReplyDeletethis was mesmerizing post dear Louise!
ReplyDeletei had so much fun following you along the way to this historic fortress .thank you for making me feel "there" through your breathtaking description and photos hats off to you for such amazing job!
thank goodness that you guys found place to have breakfast when it was needed badly .
i can relate because we had such a day when we were in Murre during Ramadan month many years back .we bought the bread and milk packs but kids did not touch and insisted to get back to Islamabad so they can get favorite items of food .it was terrible to two hours journey back empty stomach lol
what a marvelous fortress ,we see such defense forts only in historic shows like "Last Kingdom" and many other . seems like most of the cities built such forts to protect their land from invaders .what amazes me most is dedication and skills of old builders who made them undefeatable before time and force of nature .i wonder if such architecture is even possible today .
20 feet door wow never heard such door before .loved passage through it .
glad despite having less time you could manage to visit this awesome ancient place .time is never enough so taking photos freezes those special moments which we can relieve whenever we want :)
thanks again my dear friend for making me part of this lovely trip .
hugs and love so much to you!
Thanks for your lovely comment, Baili! You're so right ~ There is never enough time. And the older you get, time goes faster and faster. I have a post in the works on the actual fortress. I loved walking in El Morro, and I hope to return. We are leaving for our trip to Nova Scotia to visit my family on Tuesday. We're going by way of Vegas, so we can visit friends of ours from Toronto who are meeting us there. It's been such a busy week or ten days. I had a setback with regard to my thyroid. I saw my endocrinologist on Tuesday. My remission didn't last and I have hyperthyroidism again. I'm back on medication and hope it works. If not I will have to have my thyroid removed. And I can't have my eye operation until my thyroid is in the normal range and stable. I'm remaining hopeful and positive. It's just going to take longer. One day at a time. My swimming is getting much stronger and so am I, so that's encouraging. I I hope all is well with your family! Love you, my dear friend!
Delete