Government Building sights in San Juan
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El Capitolio
Sandwiched between Av Muñoz Rivera and Av Ponce de León, just east of Fuerte San Cristóbal, is El Capitolio of the commonwealth. Resembling a smaller, Romanesque version of the US Capitol, the building commands an authoritative position in Puerta de Tierra overlooking the wave-lashed coast. The much-revered constitution of the commonwealth, which moved the island a step closer to its citizens’ dreams of freedom from colonialism in 1951, is on display inside the 80ft rotunda. Regular sessions of the legislature meet inside, while rallies for and against statehood occur outside every time the government calls for an island-wide plebiscite on the issue.
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B
Casa Rosa
The tropical villa in the foreground of the field leading up to El Morro is the Casa Rosa. Built as a barracks for the Spanish militia in the early 19th century, this house long served as officers' quarters. The structure has since been restored and now serves as a plush day-care facility for the children of government employees.
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C
Alcaldía
One of the highlights of the plaza is the Alcaldía, which dates from 1789 and has twin turrets resembling those of its counterpart in Madrid. This building houses the office of the mayor of San Juan and is also the site of periodic exhibitions.
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