Side view of bronze statue by the water in Old San Juan.

Plazuela de la Rogativa

San Juan


This diminutive gem of a square with lovely views over the bay is home to an interesting, stylized bronze sculpture of a former bishop of San Juan and three women bearing torches.

According to legend, the women of San Juan held a religious procession one night in 1797 holding torches, ringing bells and singing hymns, which tricked British Lieutenant General Abercromby (who was preparing to lay siege to San Juan with 8000 troops and a flotilla of over 50 vessels) into believing that reinforcements were flooding the city. Fearful of being outnumbered, Abercromby and his fleet withdrew.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Juan attractions

1. Casa Museo Felisa Rincón de Gautier

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This museum, an attractive neoclassical townhouse, was the longtime home of San Juan’s beloved mayor, Doña Felisa. She presided over the growth of the…

2. Puerta de San Juan

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One of the three remaining gates into the old city, the lofty red portal known as the Puerta de San Juan is a popular photo stop. Spanish ships once…

3. Casa Blanca

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First constructed in 1521 as a residence for Puerto Rico’s pioneering governor, Juan Ponce de León (who died before he could move in), Casa Blanca is the…

4. Plazuela Las Monjas

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This pretty little park faces the Catedral de San Juan Bautista. Its ironwork benches and shade trees make it a good place for people watching, especially…

5. Catedral de San Juan Bautista

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While San Juan's cathedral is smaller and less flamboyant than many Spanish churches, it retains a simple elegance. The first church on this site was…

6. La Fortaleza

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Guarded iron gates mark the imposing La Fortaleza. Dating from 1533, it's the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the western hemisphere. The…

7. Casa Rosa

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Built in 1812, this tropical pink villa first served as barracks for Spanish troops. In 1881, it was converted into officers’ quarters. The building has…

8. Palacio Rojo

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A two-story Baroque building dating from 1792, Palacio Rojo once served as the living quarters for Spanish commanding officers. Today it houses…