"There's a clear light in San Juan at this time of year. It enhances the blues of water and sky along San Juan's beaches, which stretch from Condado all the way out to undeveloped Piñones, and turns iridescent in Old San Juan as it bounces from the sandstone facades of historic fortresses and chapels, and splashes across the pastel sides of old houses."*

Click a photograph to enlarge.

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a modern and progressive island, has a rich heritage that fascinates visitors from everywhere. The spirit of the Spanish colonial period is most evident in Old San Juan, a walled city, where numerous houses, public buildings, historical sites and monuments have undergone restoration in an effort to preserve a part of the island's cultural heritage. In 1986, the United Nations designated the district a World Heritage Site. The face of colonial Spain can still be seen in Old San Juan: narrow and steep cobblestone-paved streets, romantic courtyards, charming, overhanging balconies and chalk-white churches give 'El Viejo San Juan,' the old city, a character much loved by artists and photographers from Puerto Rico and abroad. *John Marino, "What's Doing in San Juan." ©The New York Times

You will find centuries-old fortresses, fascinating museums, beautifully- restored buildings, art galleries, excellent shops and boutiques, sidewalk cafés and lively people. A local artist once said: "Here, in Old San Juan, there is definitely a lot of light, especially at the height of the day, when the sunshine gushes down and bounces around the bold pastel buildings. No wonder they're painted such bright colors. They have to be, to compete with the fierce blueness of the sky."

Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement in 1508 in Caparra, behind the almost landlocked harbor just west of the present metropolitan area. Old San Juan, founded in 1521, sits on a small peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. It was originally planned as a military fortress but gradually changed into an enchanting, energetic residential and commercial area. Over 400 Spanish colonial buildings, ranging from the existing styles of the Spanish colonial era to the neoclassical style of the 19th century, have been restored with great historical fidelity in order to maintain authenticity and preserve the beauty of the city.

Captivated by the architectural melange of the wonderful pastel-colored buildings, I was particularly fascinated by the charming "balcones," the balconies in Old San Juan.

I hope you will find information in this site to help you explore historic Old San Juan. Also, you can search for other resources in the Internet about this fascinating district. Enjoy the special exhibits and the galleries of photographs of the balconies and the sights of Old San Juan. Welcome to Old San Juan! ¡Bienvenidos al Viejo San Juan! Webmaster Los Balcones de San Juan

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