Enjoy a leisurely and enlightening walk through Old San Juan and Fort San Cristobal, one of the largest fortresses ever constructed in the Americas. Named for Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, the Spanish-built fort is a masterpiece of 18th-century military engineering and design. The expansive main plaza, complex tunnels and still-functioning system of collecting rainwater are particularly fascinating. So too is Old San Juan, a wonderfully atmospheric area that was settled 500 years ago. You will enter the historical district through the only original gate that remains. As you pass through it, be sure to note the remarkable thickness of the centuries-old defensive walls. While visiting the 18th-century Christo Chapel, you will hear about the miracle that supposedly happened there. Similarly, you will learn about the bishop that is said to have saved San Juan from British troops in 1797. His statue stands in Rogativa Plaza.
