We had an opportunity to have a quick road trip into San
Juan. The following is a tiny glimpse of what the city has to offer
visitors.
"Monument to the Puerto Rican Countryman" is a monument built
by the Government of Puerto Rico to honor the now disappeared Puerto Rican
Jíbaro, in remembrance of Puerto Rico's humble roots. It was sculpted by
Tomás Batista.
The "Jíbaro" is a Puerto Rican staple of times past, a
humble, hardworking and wise man, but living in poverty and with little or
no education. Jíbaros disappeared from the countryside as freeways and
well-maintained roads thrust modern civilization onto them.
Distant view of El Morro Fortress in Old San Juan.
The fort is actually San Felipe del Morro and is part many
structures forming the
San Juan National Historical Site.
El Morro, was built by the Spanish in the 16th century to
protect shipping lanes to the New World. The fort, expanded in the 17th and
18th centuries, now has six levels and is one of the oldest forts on United
States soil.
San Juan National Historic Site was designated a World
Heritage Site in 1983 by the United Nations.
Adjacent to El Morro is an equally historically important
graves site.
A closer view of the main complex.
Typical street in the reconstructed zone.
San Juan proper outside the Old San Juan definition.
Really part of the new modern day San Juan statement.
