SAN JUAN: Puerto Rico's Caribbean Jewel

When the Spanish settled San Juan in 1521, they quickly recognized the value of Puerto Rico's capital city. It became an important port, outpost, and gateway for exploration of the Americas. Spain's enemies, primarily the British and the Dutch, coveted its strategic military location. Its excellent harbor was one of the largest and best in the Caribbean.

- Christine Graf

To the Spanish, San Juan was one of the most valuable jewels in their empire. They went to great lengths to protect it. The city's defenses during Spanish colonial rule covered 250 acres and left just 62 acres for other buildings. 

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1493, Christopher Columbus named the island of Puerto Rico San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist). Meanwhile, the city of San Juan originally was named Puerto Rico (Rich Port). The names were switched in 1520, possibly due to a cartographer's error. Puerto Rico became the name of the island, and the island's largest city and famous port became known as San Juan.

First Fortress

To protect San Juan from foreign enemies and Indigenous Carib people, Spain's King Charles V ordered the construction of La Fortaleza. Begun in 1533, it was San Juan's first fortified building. But its location proved inadequate to guard the entrance to San Juan's harbor. It was captured twice-by the British in 1598 and by the Dutch in 1625.

It eventually was converted to other uses. It has been used as an arsenal and as a prison. Today, it serves as the governor's residence. It is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas.

Harbor Outpost

Construction on another fort began in 1539 and lasted until 1786. The Castillo de San Felipe del Morro was built on the tip of the point on San Juan Bay. El Morro was perfectly situated to protect San Juan's port. It began with a simple tower, but it evolved into a massive state-of-the-art example of European military architecture. Its 18-foot-thick walls rise 140 feet above the sea.

It thwarted countless sea attacks by pirates, privateers, and foreign enemies.