In 1983, this lovely part of town, characterized by narrow, blue cobblestone streets, and picturesque, brightly colored buildings (some of which date back almost 500 years), was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. This was in keeping with the custom of christening the town with both its formal name and that which Christopher Columbus had originally given to the islands, honoring John the Baptist.ĭuring colonial times, most of the city population resided in what is now known as Old (Viejo) San Juan. In 1521, the words "San Juan" were added to its official name, thus making it "San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico". Founded by Spanish colonists in 1509, at a site then known as "Puerto Rico" (which means Rich Port in Spanish), San Juan is the third oldest capital in the Americas established by Europeans.
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