The Capital District of Old San Juan makes for a great extension to a walking tour of Old San Juan or for anyone interested in the history and architecture of Puerto Rico.
If you have ever taken the free Old San Juan Trolley to El Morro then you will have passed through the Capital District on your way to the forts.
Old San Juan’s Capital District is a mass of small plazas, memorials and historical buildings with the center pieces being the Capital Building, El Capitolio de Puerto Rico.
I spent some time walking around the area a few weeks back and was really impressed by the area, especially the buildings and the memorials.
The Capital District is the area just east of Plaza Colon along Constitution Avenue and Munoz Rivera Avenue (coastal road) east of San Cristobal Fort.
Things to See along Constitutional Avenue
Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico
Not technically part of the Capital District but it is the first building that you will pass if you start from Plaza Colon and head towards Constitution Avenue.
Originally built in 1917 the Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico has recently been restored to its former glory. The building was designed in the style of the French Beaux Arts architecture and used by the islands prominent residents during the 1920’s.
After World War II, it was utilized by Free School of Music and later the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
Today, the Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico can be used for weddings, corporate events and gatherings. Tours are available, but have to be arranged in adavance
Ateneo Puertorriqueno (Puerto Rican Athenaeum)
Built in 1876, the Ateneo Puertorriqueno was founded to provide free higher learning to the people of Puerto Rico
Now the building servers as a museum, school, performance hall and library.
Casa de Espana
This Moorish inspired building was built in 1932 to provide a meeting place for Spanish citizens living in Puerto Rico. The building is stunning and used regularly for weddings and events and is also the home to Restaurante Casa de Espana whose specialty is Sucking Pig
El Capitolio de Puerto Rico
Home to Puerto Rico’s Government and the focal point of the Capital District, you can not miss it, it’s the huge white domed building with an amazing sea view.
Construction on the building started in 1921 and inaugurated on February 11, 1929, it was listed on the registry of U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
El Capitolio is open fo the public for tours, though only the ground floor is open on weekends. Guided tours are available by reservation or self guided tours if you decide to just turn up.
Impressive on the outside, just as impressive on the inside with the main dome ceiling depicting in mosaics the history of Puerto Rico.
Other buildings to look out for
Puerto Rico Olympic Committee headquarters
The Carnegie Library
All of these building are on the left hand side of Constitutional Avenue as you head away from Old San Juan. On the right hand side you will find several small plazas and memorials.
Plaza La Mujer Puertorriquena
Plaza La Mujer Puertorriquena is one of the larger plazas in the Capital District and honors the woman of Puerto Rico.
Monumento A La Policia (Police Monument)
The Police Monument has a large stone needle centerpiece that is flanked wither side by a long list of names of those police officers that have fallen in the line of duty
Plaza Los Maestros
The Plaza Los Maestros honors the teaches of Puerto Rico and the main work of art is flanked either side by images and information of some of the greatest teachers in Puerto Rico’s history
Monumento De La Recordacion (Memorial Monument)
Statue surrounded by inscriptos of those that lost their lives fighting for freedom during World War II and to the commemorate the part Puerto Rico played in the defense of the United States
San Juan Holocaust Memorial
A truly moving memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Inaugurated in March 2012, the San Juan Holocaust Memorial depicts a family and their shadows. The shadows represent those that were lost during the Holocaust.
The memorial also commemorates the 17 Puerto Rican tourists who lost their lives at the Lod Airport massacre in Israel in 1972.
Around the monument there are several bilingual plaques with information about the time of the Holocaust.
Paseo de los Presidentes
Paseo de los Presidentes honors the various United States Presidents that have visited the island with life size bronze statues
Alter de la Patria
A bronze statue and mural that depicts the history and culture of Puerto Rico
Once past the Capital Building head left at the traffic lights towards the sea where you will not only get great views of the sea, coast and El Morro but also the main entrance to the Capital Building.
San Juan Bautista Plaza
On the ocean side of Munoz Rivera Avenue and directly opposite the Capital Building you will find the relatively new San Juan Bautista Plaza with its statue and Coats of Arms.
The plaza also has stairs that lead down to a small beach; Playa Bajamara
From San Juan Bautista Plaza you can walk back into Old San Juan passing San Cristobal; Fort or jump on the Old San Juan Trolley from the trolley stop at the Plaza.
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