Old San Juan (Part I): July 29, 2013

Must start the day with coffee, of course.  This time at Cuatro Sombras, where coffee beans are roasted on the premises.  Sipping coffee and addressing post cards.

Statue of Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus), who landed in Puerto Rico in 1493, on his second voyage to the New World

Castillo San Cristóbal stands guard at the eastern gate, the land entrance, to the walled city of Old San Juan. Construction on San Cristobal began in 1634 and finished in 1790, although modifications were made well into the 18th Century

Looking out over Old San Juan from Castillo San Cristobal

The six-story castle has many tunnels underneath it

Looking down to the lowest part of the castle from a higher point

Covering 27 acres, San Cristóbal is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. See where the first shots of the Spanish-American War were fired and be sure to visit the overlook for the Devil's Sentry Box or the "Garita del Diablo", from which, according to legends, soldiers mysteriously disappeared.  Here, Papa Tom stands outside the Devil's Sentry Box.

Left over cannon balls, I guess

Papa Tom in a castle window.  Just a moment later, pigeons flew past on either side of him.  I wish I'd gotten a photo of that!

Looking down at the ocean from the commander's quarters.  See how thick the castle walls are?

Renovations continue to be necessary, due to damage from the sea air

The road from Castillo San Cristobal to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, exactly one mile away.  Castillo San Felipe del Morro, (El Morro) sits atop a high promontory overlooking the entrance to the San Juan Bay. It is the result of the efforts of Spanish engineers over a period of more than 250 years and is one of the largest fortifications built by the Spain in the Caribbean. Although its foundation was laid in 1539, the six-level fortification was not considered complete until 1787. During World War II, the U.S. government added an artillery fire control station. El Morro suffered several attacks from the English in 1595 and 1598 and the Dutch in 1625. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, United States Navy ships fired upon the fortification, destroying the lighthouse, which was later restored. Visit casemates and the chapel. Gaze over 60 foot walls to the ocean and aim your camera on the cannons and that still guard the harbor today.

View as we're leaving Castillo San Cristobal for El Morro

On the road to El Morro, with walls of Castillo San Cristobal behind me