ARRIVING IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
TUESDAY, JULY 22
CASTILLO SAN CRISTOBAL
The first historical fortress we will be visiting
THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
WAITING FOR OUR TOUR TO BEGIN
Spain built huge fortifications in San Juan because of it's strategic location between Europe and the Americas. Puerto Rico became known as the GATEWAY, or entrance to this new world. The nation that could control this "FRONT DOOR" to the Caribbean, could shelter its merchant vessels in the harbor, behind strong fortifications, and send its warships out to control access to the Caribbean sea and the rest of the New World. Spain got to Puerto Rico first, then fought for 400 years to keep it.
CASTILLO SAN CRISTOBAL
CASTILLO SAN CRISTOBAL
A massive fortress that guarded the only land access to Old San Jun. It is part of an extensive fortification system built by Spain over a 250 year period to protect San Juan.
THREE FLAGS
The National Park Services flys three flags over the fortifications at the San Juan National Historic Sites. The Burgundy cross the flag of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the flag of the United States of America. The Burgundy cross was the Spanish military flag that flew during most of the Spanish colonial period. It was adopted in 1506 by Philip the Handsome, King of Castile, to honor his mother, Mary Duchess of Burgundy. At that time, Burgundy was a territory of Spain
ONE OF THE TUNNELS
A DUNGEON IN ONE OF THE TUNNELS
COLLIN AND SYDNEY CHECKING OUT THE WELL
WE HAD SOME TIME BETWEEN TOURS WHERE WE COULD CHECK OUT THE CITY
