Yvonne's Condo
The Churches of San Juan
A trip to San Juan is completed by visiting its historic Churches, not just El Morro's own Santa Barbara Chapel.
Iglesia San José (Church of Saint Joseph)
Mon-Wed, Fri 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cristo Street, on the San Jose Plaza
Built in 1532 by Dominican friars to serve as the monastery's church, is the second oldest in the Western Hemisphere and is an excellent example of 16th century Spanish Gothic architecture. Originally named Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, later re-dedicated to Saint Joseph when the Jesuits took over both the Convent of the Dominican Order and the church in 1865. Ponce de León, was buried here for 300 years until his body was moved to the Saint John the Baptist Cathedral Cathedral in 1913. Puerto Rican painter Jose Campeche, who contributed a great deal to the beautiful churches of his island, is buried here.
Capilla del Cristo (Cristo Chapel)
Tues, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Built in the 18th century (1753), the beautiful Campeche paintings and altar inside can be seen through the church's glass doors.
Catedral de San Juan Bautista
(Saint John the Baptist Cathedral)
Daily tours 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Built in 1521 by the Spanish colony's first bishop, Alonso Manso, the Cathedral as seen today is the result of work done in 1917, when major restorations were performed. This Cathedral is an authentic and rare New World example of medieval architecture, considered one of the most impressive religious monuments in Puerto Rico. Since 1913, the Cathedral, which features Doric columns and elliptical vaults, contains the marble tomb of the island's first governor Juan Ponce de Leon and the relic of San Pio, a Roman martyr. San Juan Cathedral still holds religious services on a regular schedule.
Cementerio de San Juan
San Juan's Cemetery is located between El Morro and the rocky cliffs above the Atlantic is considered one of the most picturesque of burial grounds anywhere. The cemetery features a circular neoclassical chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalen. The most notable piece is a circular, red-domed chapel, which dates back to the late 19th century.
