Most people just assume that early ships making the Atlantic crossing from the “old world” to the “new world” would just make a straight line. However, to take advantage of winds and currents sailors would head south to Africa before turning west toward the Americas. That made Puerto Rico, the first major island they came too, and San Juan a strategic port.

To protect the port and city the Spaniards built a series of fortifications and walls to protect the Spanish interest within. Today, a large section of that wall, and two of the fortifications, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal, are preserved at San Juan National Historic Site. The impressive and massive architecture made the park a highlight of our visit to Puerto Rico.

For more information visit San Juan National Historic Site