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White-washed facade of Cathedral de San Juan.

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Catedral de San Juan Bautista

San Juan


While San Juan's cathedral is smaller and less flamboyant than many Spanish churches, it retains a simple elegance. The first church on this site was founded in 1521 and destroyed by a hurricane eight years later. They began constructing its replacement in 1540 and it slowly evolved into today's neoclassical-inspired monument. Look out for the marble tomb of Ponce de León and the mummified body of religious martyr St Pio.

You can get quite a show here on Saturday afternoons when the limos roll up and bridal parties take over the front steps. The main entrance to the cathedral faces Plazuela Las Monjas, a beautiful shaded small park complete with antique benches and gnarly trees. On Sundays and holy days, you'll see worshippers in all their finery.


Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

Nearby San Juan attractions

1. Plazuela Las Monjas

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2. Edifico de la Diputación Provincial

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3. Palacio de la Real Intendencia

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4. Casa Museo Felisa Rincón de Gautier

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5. ´¡±ô³¦²¹±ô»åí²¹

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Towering over the Plaza de Armas, the ´¡±ô³¦²¹±ô»åí²¹, which dates from 1789, has twin turrets resembling those of its counterpart in Madrid. This building…

6. Plaza de Armas

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This is the city’s de-facto central square, laid out in the 16th century with the classic look of plazas from Madrid to Mexico. A highlight is the…

7. Palacio Rojo

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A two-story Baroque building dating from 1792, Palacio Rojo once served as the living quarters for Spanish commanding officers. Today it houses…

8. Plazuela de la Rogativa

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This diminutive gem of a square with lovely views over the bay is home to an interesting, stylized bronze sculpture of a former bishop of San Juan and…