The blue front
At the end of the street.
Xemenendura — CC BY-SA 3.0 · James Willamor from Raleigh, NC, USA — CC BY-SA 2.0 · David — CC BY 2.0 · Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ligocsicnarf89 — CC BY 4.0
La Fortaleza, «the fortress», also called Palacio de Santa Catalina, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico in Old San Juan. It is the oldest executive seat in continuous use in the New World, home to governors since the 16th century, and UNESCO made it a World Heritage Site in 1983. It was built as a fortress from 1533 to 1540 by order of King Charles I, the first fortification the Spanish raised to defend San Juan Bay, alongside El Morro, San Cristóbal and the city walls. In 1846 it was remodelled in neoclassical style by order of Governor Rafael Arístegui, giving the blue and white front known today. From the colourful Calle Fortaleza you see houses and balconies ending at the palace front, and the street is sometimes decked with umbrellas. From the sea, round white towers rise above a huge stone wall facing the bay. The inner courtyard has stone paths and gardens, and the halls hold old furniture, when tours allow entry. It is about 270 m in a straight line from Casa Blanca. This is a working government seat, so you can only go in on a tour arranged in advance, and modest dress is preferred. Follow guards' instructions, and do not try to take pictures where this is banned. You can see the building from outside at any time, and the Paseo del Morro path gives the finest view of its wall and towers.
At the end of the street.
Above the sea wall.
Colourful balconies.
West end of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Casa BlancaCasa Blanca is a historic house in Old San Juan, the first fortification on San 3 minutes walk
Paseo de la Princesa and the City WallsA nineteenth-century promenade about eight hundred metres long, running along Sa4 minutes walk4.7
Old San Juan and La FortalezaThe historic quarter of Puerto Rico's capital and the island's oldest settlement6 minutes walk
El Morro FortressPuerto Rico's most famous landmark, a massive stone fortress on a rocky headland11 minutes walk4.7
Castillo San CristóbalThe largest fortification the Spanish built in the New World, guarding Old San J12 minutes walk4.7Only on a tour arranged in advance, as it is a government seat.
From the Paseo del Morro path, or from the sea.