Los Hermosos Arcos de San Juan Puerto Rico~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS

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Entrance to our hotel, El Convento, originally a Carmelite convent built by Spain in 1646.

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Evening, central Courtyard Hotel El Convento.

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Central Courtyard, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena. Puerto Rico was founded by the Spanish in 1521 and is full of stunning, historic-buildings. (Click to enlarge).

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More views of the Instituto Cultura…….

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Front facade Instituto de Cultura.

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La Fortaleza (Governors Mansion). This is the oldest, continuously occupied governors mansion in the Americas. We toured inside and I will post photos for you soon! It is a gorgeous, stunningly-situated, old mansion and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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El Palacio Rojo. (Now Administrative Offices).

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Museo De Las Americas.

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Typical tourist shop, Calle Fortaleza in the glorious old-buildings of historic San Juan.

Cheers to you from the very old, y muy hermoso, San Juan!

179 thoughts on “Los Hermosos Arcos de San Juan Puerto Rico~”

  8. I love the way you compose a photo… I learn so much from looking at your posts…. pity I can’t remember all I learn when I’m out there with the camera…

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    1. You are so gifted with a camera it blows me away! It is very kind of you to say this though and most appreciated. Every time I look at your photos I want to go back to Africa~

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  11. Your hotel looks to be fabulous! And so do all the other buildings. You are so good at uncovering the stand-out beauty of the places you visit. And each time I want to go there too.

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    1. It is quite a change for me to be in a convent…..I’m trying not to swear. Don’t want to annoy the lingering souls. It’s said to be haunted but I see no signs. The courtyard is full of fruit bats at night though 100’s of them…..quite amazing!

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    1. Off the top of my head I would guesstimate that Spain, Italy (Cinque Terre), and all of Latin America make this joyous use of color. I’m sure more that I am not remembering….When I return to the US, everything looks so beige!

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  24. Stunning, Cindy. Absolutely magnificent. It’s a crime we don’t do more to restore and cherish our historic buildings. Fort Ord is a perfect example. Millions of dollars were being spent to build new roads, additional housing, a $350,000 daycare and on and on. The funds had been allocated by Congress before Fort Ord hit the base closure list. We listened to jackhammers and other construction for two years while we bought our own office supplies. The old Officer’s Club looking over Monterey Bay was a beauty and instead of shoring her up, they shoved her over the cliff into the bay.

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    1. Oh how sad. San Diego of course has all these gorgeous old bases the original MCRD, NTC, North Island Officer’s Club. They are precious and need to be protected both for their historical significance and their beauty. I love what they have done with the Officers housing on the other side of SF Bay. It’s a hotel now. Quite lovely. You know, I stayed alone at Treasure Island Officers Club? Skeletal staff on site. The Navy sent me up to do a survey of the needs of military families in the Bay Area. Treasure Island had closed, but they housed me there in the female Officers Barracks. I remember walking around the island at night in heaven! My daughter just was there. Now it houses some HIV+ folks….so glad it is being put to good use!

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    1. Oh these photos are beautifully arranged and really brightened up my day x you are a wonderful photographer and it is so kind of you to share the joy and beauty of your trip – thank you 💖

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  39. Let me get this right…., you’re staying in a convent…, is there something you haven’t told me about??? 🙂 Hahaha !!! The pics are beautiful and interesting enough to make me want to visit PR one day too. Be safe…, have fun ! Hugs.

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  47. splendid Hispanic architecture… your pix have reminded me of my Spanish favourite cities: Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona, Bilbao, etc… btw, I live at about 3h-drive from Barcelona, olé! 🙂

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    1. Lucky you!! I love Barcelona and Cartegena (both Cartagenas!) I so want to go to Madrid and El Prado…..Valencia and Seville sound wonderful too! And yes, I love Spain’s architectual footprints all over the world! So distinctive and beautiful. Cheers to you~

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    1. Yes. This happens a lot with cruises, I know. Old San Juan is definitely worth lingering in. This was my fourth visit but first time actually staying in Old Town and I would like to go again with my kids!!! This is what happens with my bucket list. I keep re-adding places to it. More time, more time in the wonderful places!! Cheers to you~

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      1. When I went up on the roof it was in the 30’s cloudy but OK then the snow came and in earnest 🙁 Had to put camera in bag in send back down into the house with Ron :)_ Thanks so much love yours too

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  51. I loved these photos and your sharing the history of these buildings, Cindy! I am amazed they have been around, some of them, since the 1500’s! I am getting ready to give out an “ABC Award” nomination post, I will be including you. I just am gathering posts and blog http’s! Smiles, you deserve this! Robin

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  53. Breathtaking, Cindy. Mathair’s been bragging on you and I have to say that it’s deserved. These are wonderful. I’m not much for paintings and whatnot, but I am a stained glass enthusiast and the image of the windows literally brought me to tears. We loved the vibrant colors of the buildings, but more that the country went to such lengths to preserve it. We only wish that America would do the same with it’s older landmarks and buildings. Years ago there was a Colonial home taken down which was as old as our town and Mathair and I were apart of the group that fought to preserve it. It broke our heart as the marble columns came tumbling down. Thanks so much for sharing these images with us.

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    1. Yes other bloggers have mentioned our disregard for some gorgeous old treasures. So sad. Being connected with old historic buildings gives one a sense of comfort and continuity. You two just rock!! Keep on doing what you do, and I would love to see the stained glass!!

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  54. WOw Cindy how are you this fine day? I really love you stopping by my book blog. I really love feedback too. Been blogging for three years and don’t have the comments or following you have, which is good because you have the most stunning photos. Keep up the good work. Oh I love the vintage age or victorian era if you ever want to post photos or houses I’d love it. Jackie 🙂

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    1. Funny you should say that! I have been collecting Victorian Home photos…..not enough of a pool yet though! I love books, reading and your blog! Cheers to you & thank you too!

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  59. Oh, I could be SO at home there, Cindy!
    In reality, I came to give you a virtual hug 🙂 I was just over at Zee’s site and smiled at your comment “my like keeps being wiped out”! So mean!

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    1. I get so frustrated when I want to acknowledge our fellow bloggers and the reader wipes away my like! So now I am trying to tell people when it happens!I love your virtual hug and am sending one right back at you!

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  62. Pingback: Sonntagsleserin KW #08 – 2014 | buchpost

    1. Yes, built before there was air conditioning to take advantage of the substantial sea breezes. These old buildings still do this and require no AC. Do you suppose we have gotten dumber?

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      1. Aquiesced to the modern world of technology and convenience, and fear of the intruder. The reason the slatted shutters made me think of using cooling breezes and cross ventilation is that the 1930’s apartment building which I lived in 20 years ago in NYC once had shuttered doors and windows. All of the tenants would leave these closed and the solid windows and doors open to allow the air to move about the building. These were stories that the women who had lived in the building since the 1950’s told me. Of course, by then every window had metal bars, locked windows and window AC units humming and dripping all summer long.
        Oscar

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  68. Nice pictures Ms Cindy, odd though, I don’ know why but the first thing I thought of from the first picture was “old convent”, I hope you are enjoying your vacation.

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  69. Looks like a grand place to stay. Good such old buildings can be kept alive by allowing more people to share for a moment the blessings of the place.
    As you say ” Being connected with old historic buildings gives one a sense of comfort and continuity. ” By sharing the photographs to others in the world, who perhaps never will have the chance to come there, you allow them to carry it in their dreams and show the treasures of this world and give a voice to preserve those treasures – a Must for next generations -.

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