San Juan National Historic Site

The San Juan National Historic Site is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate and Fort San Juan de la Cruz just across the entrance to the bay. The Spanish spent over 250 years fortifying this location of Puerto Rico. Constructed in 1539, high above the ocean, adjacent to Old San Juan, its history, setting, and preservation make it one of the top tourist attractions in the country. Both fortifications can be explored everyday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm either on your own or on one of the ranger led programs held throughout the week.

Caribbean Travel

El Morro sits atop a high promontory overlooking the entrance to the San Juan Bay. It is the result of the efforts of Spanish engineers over a period of more than 250 years and is one of the largest fortifications built by Spain in the Caribbean. Although its foundation was laid in 1539, the six-level fortification was not considered complete until 1787. During World War II, the U.S. government added an artillery fire control station. El Morro suffered several attacks from the English in 1595 and 1598 and the Dutch in 1625. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, United States Navy ships fired upon the fortification, destroying the lighthouse, which was later restored.

It stands guard at the eastern gate, the land entrance, to the walled city of Old San Juan. Construction on San Cristobal began in 1634 and finished in 1790, although modifications were made well into the 18th Century. It guarded from enemy approaches by land. Visitors can walk through the fortification, peer through cannon enbrasures and visit sentry boxes where Spanish soldiers stood watch. With its panoramic view of the coast from Old San Juan to Condado and beyond, the views are stunning. Covering 27 acres, San Crist�bal is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World.