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La Fortaleza Review
Read our Puerto Rico sights reviews. Or post your own.
La Fortaleza
Museums / Galleries, Government Buildings, San Juan
Fodor's Review:
Sitting on a hill overlooking the harbor, La Fortaleza was built as a fortress in 1533. Not a very good fortress, mind you. It was attacked numerous times and taken twice, by the British in 1598 and by the Dutch in 1625. When the city's other fortifications were finished, La Fortaleza was transformed into a palace. Numerous changes to the original primitive structure over the past four centuries have resulted in the present collection of marble and mahogany, medieval towers, and stained-glass galleries. The Western Hemisphere's oldest executive mansion in continuous use, it is still the official residence of the island's governor. Guided tours of the extensive gardens and the circular dungeon are conducted on the hour in English, on the half-hour in Spanish; both include a short video presentation. Call ahead, as sometimes tours are canceled because of official functions. The tours begin near the main gate in a yellow building called the Real Audiencia.
INFO
- Address: Calle Recinto Oeste, Old San Juan, San Juan
- Phone: 787/721-7000 Ext. 2211
- Web site
- Cost: Free
- Open: Weekdays 9-3:30
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6 responses; most recent on 08/28/2008, 11:42 am - Side trips and restaurant help in Puerto Rico
0 responses; most recent on 08/28/2008, 10:23 am
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