EL VIEJO
SAN JUAN:
San Juan, the
capital of Puerto Rico, is the oldest city under the U.S. flag. It was founded in 1511 by Juan Ponce de Leon.
The district that today is called Old San Juan was the personal vision of Ponce
de León. He helped plot the layout of the city, supervised the construction of
its massive walls and determined which structures were to be built and where.
Situated on an easily defensible isthmus, Old San Juan is bounded by two
fortresses: El Morro and Fort San Cristobal. Many of the sites in the Old San
Juan area were built in the 1500's and are National Historic Sites as well as
World Historic Sites.
Old San Juan was built as a military stronghold. It is a place were you can visit 500 years of history in one day. The area covers 7 square blocks of narrow cobblestone paved streets, lined with centuries old colonial homes with distinct balconies and courtyards; fortresses, and promenade. Old San Juan's forts and city walls are among the best preserved in the hemisphere. The area is dotted with antique homes, churches, and plazas that represent the Caribbean's most priceless architecture. El Viejo San Juan is home to sidewalk cafes, art galleries, museums, and beautifully restored homes giving the area a romantic nostalgic look. Tropical vegetation that includes ferns, oleander, palm trees, banana trees, flamboyant trees, hibiscus bushes. At night you can enjoy the cheerful song of our beloved coquÍ to add to that special feel.
La Garita, a sentry box at El Morro castle, has come to symbolize Puerto
Rico and El Viejo San Juan in particular.
The following are the words to the traditional song, "En Mi Viejo San Juan", by Noel Estrada:
En mi Viejo San Juan,
cuántos sueños forjé, en mis años de infancia...
Mi primera ilusión, y mis cuitas de amor, son recuerdos del alma. . ..
Una tarde partí hacía extraña nación, pues lo quiso el destino.
Pero mi corazón, se quedó frente al mar, en mi Viejo San Juan.
Adiós, adiós - adiós,
Mi diosa del mar - mi reina del palmar
Me voy, ya me voy, pero un día volveré . .
A buscar mi querer, a soñar otra vez, en mi Viejo San Juan.
Pero el tiempo pasó y el destino burló, mi terrible nostalgia . . .
Y no pude volver al San Juan que yo amé, pedacito de patria . .
Mi cabello blanqueó, ya mi vida se va - ya la muerte me llama,
Y no quiero morir alejado de ti Puerto Rico del alma....
Noel Estrada
English Translation:
In my Old San Juan, many
dreams I forged in my childhood years
My first illusion, and my grief of love are memories of the soul
One afternoon I departed for a foreign nation, that's how destiny would have it
But my heart remained at the seas, of my Old San Juan.
(chorus)
Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye)
My dear Borinquen (land of my love)
Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye)
Mi Goddess of the Sea (my Queen of the Palms)
I'm leaving (I'm leaving
now)
But someday I'll return
To search for my love
To dream once again
In my Old San Juan.
But time passed me by, and
destiny fooled my terrible nostalgia.
And I could not return to my San Juan of yesterday, little piece of my soul.
My hair turned white, my life is about to leave, death is upon me.
I do not want to die so far away from you, Puerto Rico of my soul!