Historic Churches in Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico
Viejo San Juan is the historic center of Puerto Rico. The 500-year-old walled city is filled with beautiful pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, Spanish forts, art and history museums, plazas, restaurants, bars, shops, and ship docks. Many of the island’s must- see sites are located here, including the historic churches Catedral de San Juan Bautista, Iglesia de San José, and Capilla del Cristo.
Getting There
Vehicle traffic is restricted to residents, taxis, and Ubers, so the only way to see Viejo San Juan is by foot. Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended; it’s easy to stub a toe or turn an ankle on the cobblestones.
Getting into and out of Viejo San Juan is easy. The main public bus terminal, Covadonga Bus Terminal, is at the corner of Calle la Marina and Calle J. A. Corretjer, near the cruise-ship piers. A taxi stand is nearby, just south of Plaza de Colón at Calle Tetuán and Calle Recinto Sur.
Catedral de San Juan Bautista
Catedral de San Juan Bautista (151-153 Calle del Cristo, 787/722-0861, Mon.-Fri. 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm; Mass: Sun. 9am and 11am, Mon.-Tues. and Fri. 12:15pm) holds the distinction of being the second-oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, the first being Catedral Basilica Menor de Santa in the Dominican Republic. The church was first built of wood and straw in 1521 but was destroyed by hurricanes and rebuilt multiple times. In 1917 the cathedral underwent major restoration and expansion. The large sanctuary features a marble altar and rows of arches, with several side chapels appointed with elaborate statuary primarily depicting Mary and Jesus. This is reportedly the final resting place of Juan Ponce de León, whose remains are encased in a marble tomb. The cathedral also holds a relic of San Pio, a Roman martyr.
Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud
Built in 1753, the tiny, picturesque Capilla del Santoc Cristo de la Salud (south end of Calle del Cristo, 787/722-0861), sometimes referred to as Cristo Chapel, is one of the most photographed sights in San Juan. Legend has it that horse races were held on Calle del Cristo. One ill-fated rider was speeding down the hill so fast he couldn’t stop in time and tumbled over the city wall to his death, and the chapel was thus built to prevent a similar occurrence. An alternative end to the legend is that the rider survived and the church was built to show thanks to God. Either way, the result was the construction of a beloved landmark.
The chapel is rarely open, but it’s possible to peer through the windows and see the ornate gilded altarpiece. Beside the building is Parque de Palomas, a gated park overlooking San Juan Harbor that is home to more pigeons than you might think possible. Birdseed is available for purchase if you want to get up close and personal with your fine feathered friends.
Iglesia de San José
After being closed for more than 20 years for restoration, Iglesia de San José (Calle San Sebastián at Plaza de San José, 787/918-3800) has been restored to its former glory and reopened. One of the oldest structures in Viejo San Juan, it was built in the 1530s as a chapel for the Dominican monastery, but was taken over in 1865 by the Jesuits. The main chapel is an excellent example of 16th-century Spanish Gothic architecture. Iglesia de San José was reportedly Juan Ponce de León’s final resting place, but his body was later moved down the street to Catedral de San Juan Bautista. Ponce de León himself is said to have donated the wooden 16th-century crucifix. Despite posted hours, it’s hit or miss as to whether the church will be open to visitors. Your best bet is to try your luck and hope it’s open when you visit.
Related Travel Guide
Save for Later
