圣胡安大教堂

alicemmiller

THis is not like a great cathedral in Europe, this is a colonial Spanish style church much like the chapels in California missions. Ponce de Leon is buried here and it is a must see for anyone interested in the history and culture of the island.

monicamW3204LT

This church is the oldest, built in the 1500's, much like a lot of Puerto Rico. I could not believe the size of the pipe organ, high ceilings, painting on the ceilings. Another beautiful place to see and, to imagine all the people from the 1500's to now who have passed through the doors.

238mw

Situated in the midst of Old Town and a little difficult to find...but using my phone GPS located it. The Catholic Church is easy to miss. Enter on the left side and look for the crypt approx. hallway back. Open most hours even when church is not in session, the church is quite bautiful inside.Worth the walk from the docks in e middle of Old Town. Read my other views to find nearby restaurants for traditional Puerto Rican food as well as the place where the Piña Colada was invented do not attempt to drive....walk or take a taxi and enjoy your surroundings.

emhag

Attended a wedding in March 2015. High vaulted ceilings, beautiful art, lovely antiques. My only complaint: the acoustics are horrible and guests were unable to hear any of the ceremony outside of some loud mumbles.

noahs701

When I went I felt very awkward not being a catholic in a Catholic Church. In the gift shop they are selling very odd things.

georgiacajun

Beautiful catholic church which is supposed to house a relic of Ponce de Leon but we never found it.

Fiora3

Step in and look at Ponce De Leon's remains. It's really old but in great condition. The gift shop is tiny and doesn't really have much.

World-wander-woman

I happen to be at this Cathedral during the San Sebastian festival and they had a little procession with a band carry in the statue up the stairs and into the cathedral which made my visit to the cathedral a lot more meaningful

THAJUN

This cathedral is wonderfull . Full of contrasts with a beautiful altar, with different patterns of painting and architecture, all very well maintained and allowing breathe an atmosphere of a past full of mysteries and history and in Puerto Rico

tedebara

We have visited the cathedral many times and stops by to look at the beautiful altars and ceilings again. If you stay at El Convento across the street you can hear the choir singing during the Mass Services.

ChristineM942

Definitely worth a visit - beautiful inside, and is the second oldest cathedral in the Americas. It was first built in 1521, and houses Ponce de Leon's remains.

dougbeach

The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is located about a hundred yards from the beach where the first Spanish soldiers arrived in PR. It became the place that this community decided to build its first church. The church has a long history and lacked a major benefactor so that it took over a hundred years for the church to be built. Then later it had an addition to be sure that it was taller than it's next door neighbor, today known as El Convento. Once inside the space, you notice that the interior ornamentation is now sculptural but is tromp l'oeil...to give the appearance of a much more ornate and expensive church. The exterior is more simple than most cathedrals built at that time because, again, money was an issue. Today, the cathedral has a look that is almost contemporary in its simplicity. Many years after Ponce de Leon died, his remains were moved from the church built by his family to the San Juan Cathedral. Today his remains lie in this location.Another can't miss opportunity when you visit Old San Juan. The history lives on every corner.

JazzzSay

we sat inside for a while and took in how beautiful and serene it was just to sit here and soak up the history of this beautiful building. The colours, the artwork and the feel of the place was just beautiful... if you appreciate Churches and Cathedrals this is a must see in San Juan

pccmikemd2

We had the opportunity to attend Mass and it was like traveling back in time to feel the faith of all those that came to San Juan and built the city, the Cathedral and the Castles for defense.

B8734LUmarkm

You can google the name for details but if being immersed in history appeals to you this is a must see - The Cathedral has the bones of Ponce DeLeon, the original chapel (duck your head going in the originals were short folks and a mummy of St Pio (they dressed him up nice and covered his body in wax then placed him in a glass coffin)We walked up the front steps went to the right and did a full 360 degree circle through the church - Great way to spend an hour and many photo opportunities Oh! When you leave walk straight down the hill ./ street and you'll be at the the last original gate of Old San Juan