Now, for just $3, $2 for students, you’ll be able to walk the halls where the Ponce de León family lived for more than a century. It wasn’t until 1974 when it was turned into a museum under the ICP. You’ll manage to get lost in somewhat of a labyrinth, inviting you to explore its majestic grounds. However, when the governor’s manor, La Fortaleza and the San Felipe del Morro Fort were built later on, the Casa Blanca lost its defensive purposes. Defensive walls surrounding the house illustrate how it was Old San Juan’s first fortification as a defense against the attacks. It’s been stated that it’s the oldest continuously inhabited house in the Western Hemisphere. This house now turned museum was built in 1521 for Juan Ponce de León and his family, unfortunately, he died that very same year. A home garden, filled with oregano, mint leaves, and yautía decorate the east wing of the house. Having been to Old San Juan a copious amount of times, curiosity never led me to this hidden gem. However, solitude becomes pleasant as soon as I stumbled upon the Alhambra-style garden. The day is quiet, and it seems as if no one is there. Although I’m quickly distracted by the numerous cats meowing in my direction, I find my way into Museo Casa Blanca. (Photo by VIEWPR)ĭue to health concerns, the Ponce de León family moved to Old San Juan, much to Juan Ponce de Leon’s opposition.įar into the San Sebastián Street, there lies an impressive white building, as the first house on the street. The grounds, including the garden, can be roamed freely while enjoying the sunny day. It wasn’t until 1937 that Alfonso de Hostos, the official historian of that time, led an excavation to rescue what was left. With failed efforts to change the course of the PR-2, the road was unfortunately built on top of two-thirds of the house. Since it was last inhabited in 1500, due to abandonment, strong rains, and the swamp-like conditions, the house was buried. Deeper into the San Juan Bay would be what is now known as Caparra, where he and his family settled, surrounded by the indigenous people who lived before them. In just thirty minutes, Grisel guided me through the house’s history, giving me some background on the beginnings of Spanish civilization in the Guaynabo municipality.Īccording to historians, when Juan Ponce de León came to Puerto Rico, he chose a secluded area to live in. It even has a replica of his last letter mentioning the state of Florida as an island! Also, there’s the original baptismal font where he was baptized, which was given to the ICP as a gift from the archbishop of Valladolid, Spain. The museum details the life of Juan Ponce de León in Puerto Rico.
“Before Old San Juan, there was Caparra,” she says. However, seconds later, I’m greeted by Grisel, the museum’s keeper. The sun’s reflection on the glass door enables to see through. What might look like a bunch of misplaced rocks, are the remnants of the masonry walls of the first Spanish settlement on the island. A quick deviation from the main street leads to an open terrain with a solitary building. The cars rapidly driving by the PR-2 make it harder to perceive the ruins lying on the side of the road. The busy PR-2 road passes in front (and over) the ruins of what once was Juan Ponce de León’s house-fort.