La Fortaleza (A Local’s Guide to Visiting)
La Fortaleza is Puerto Rico’s executive mansion in Old San Juan and one of the island’s best-kept secrets.
Of course, people know La Fortaleza’s location in Puerto Rico, but not everyone has been inside it — mostly because very few realize it’s possible to take a tour through this top site in Puerto Rico.
As a local who’s been there, I’ve put together this guide with everything you need to know before visiting La Fortaleza.
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Why Visit La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is almost as old as Puerto Rico itself. It has hosted more than a hundred Puerto Rican governors, and it’s the oldest executive mansion in continuous use on the American continent.
The building is a mix of structures and styles that reflect the island’s history since Spanish colonization.
On your visit, you’ll get to see beautiful gardens, the original towers, and the breathtaking State Staircase. Guides offer tours Monday to Friday from 8:15 am to 3:30 pm with reservations.
Both a fortress and a palace, La Fortaleza will enchant you with its beauty.
History of La Fortaleza
Building La Fortaleza
The construction of La Fortaleza began in 1533. At first, it consisted of one main medieval-style tower, four 7-foot wide walls, and an interior courtyard.
The first tower was known as the Tower of Homage. Besides serving as an observation tower, it was the place where the governor frequently swore loyalty to the Spanish crown.
The Attacks
Although La Fortaleza’s purpose was to protect San Juan Bay, its location was not optimal to do so. The city was attacked and seized on multiple occasions.
In 1598 George Clifford took over the building followed later in 1625 by the Dutch Commander Boudewyn Hendrick. During this last attack attack, the Dutch burnt the city, destroying most of La Fortaleza.
The Remodeling
In the 19th century, the La Fortaleza was remodeled and expanded which resulted in its current neoclassic palace facade.
Although La Fortaleza lost most of its fortress appearance, it still has the two original medieval-style military towers built by the Spaniards.
The Spanish-American War
In 1898, the United States invaded Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American war and seized La Fortaleza for the third and last time. As a result, Puerto Rico became a territory.
It is said Ricardo De Ortega, the last Spanish governor, slashed a clock with his sword to mark the time Spain lost Puerto Rico. The clock is still on the second floor of La Fortaleza.
Becoming a Historical Site
In 1960, La Fortaleza became a United States National Historic Landmark. Later in 1983, UNESCO declared La Fortaleza a World Heritage Site, along with other historical structures in Old San Juan such as Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
How to Visit La Fortaleza
How to Get to La Fortaleza
🚶♀️ Walk – If you’re staying at Old San Juan, you can walk to Fortaleza street.
🚗 Drive – If you’re outside Old San Juan, you can reach the historical district by driving. Use Discover Cars to rent a car in Puerto Rico for a low rate.
🚌 Public Transportation – The AMA bus system reaches Old San Juan from other cities. See the routes here.
🚕 Taxi – Taking a taxi from anywhere in the metropolitan area to reach Old San Juan is easy. If you’re not in a tourist area where it’s frequent to see them, look for private taxis online.
Entrance Costs, Hours, Details
🎟️ Entrance – Free
🕖 Hours – Tours are from Monday to Friday from 8:15 to 3:30 pm. Call ahead to book a tour. Hours might change if there is an event in La Fortaleza.
🖥️ Website – La Fortaleza
📞 Phone – 787 721-7000, ext. 2323, 2358, 2211
📍 Map It – 63 C. de la Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901
What to Expect Inside La Fortaleza
The Entrance
After you cross the gate through the east side of the building, you’ll come across La Fortaleza’s neoclassic facade.
The main building consists of three floors. The second floor features a balcony with five doors, where the governor makes a public appearance on Inauguration day.
Over the building, you’ll find a white flag with Puerto Rico’s crest, the United States, and the Puerto Rico flag. When the governor is out of the country, the white flag is down.
State Staircase
You’ll find the State Staircase on your left in the entrance hall of the building. This staircase is one of the most impressive sights you’ll see inside La Fortaleza.
Designed by the engineer Santiago Cortijo in 1846, the staircase boasts impressive ornamentations, carvings, gold leaf, and a cupola.
The Interior Courtyard
The interior patio provides a pleasant view of the first and second-floor galleries. The arched galleries on the first floor connect to different parts of the building.
Sometimes the interior patio is used for exhibitions. Two old wells now serve as a jardiniere.
The Santa Catalina Chapel
Inside the northern tower, you’ll find the Santa Catalina chapel. Its origin date is unknown, but it was restored in 1950.
Artist Marcolino Maas created a 95,000-piece hand-cut mosaic that represented man’s salvation through the Trinity.
Although most of the original mosaic was lost with time, it was restored in 2004 by the First Lady, María Elena González Calderón, the governor’s daughter.
The Dungeon
Underneath the chapel in the north tower, you’ll find a dungeon from the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s believed the space became a storehouse later.
Nowadays, visitors can find a re-creation of how munitions and arms were stored in the space.
The Gardens
The gardens at La Fortaleza are worthy of a palace. With a view of the San Juan Bay, these gardens boast terraces, lampposts, fountains, and green foliage over the city wall.
You can also find canyons and one of the famous sentry boxes that identify Puerto Rico.
Don’t miss a stop at the Sunken Garden (Jardín Hundido), a recreational garden that is below the level of the rest of the patio.
Tips for Visiting La Fortaleza
Tip #1 – Dress Appropriately
La Fortaleza is an executive mansion in use. As an official government building, it requires visitors to dress appropriately.
People wearing shorts, crop tops, flip-flops, and see-through or revealing clothes can’t enter the building.
Tip #2 – Bring an Official Photo ID
Visiting La Fortaleza doesn’t require many things, but you’ll need an official ID to enter the facilities.
If you’re coming from the United States, and you didn’t bring a passport to Puerto Rico, use your driver’s license.
Tip #3 – Pack Wisely
If you’re bringing a bag or a backpack, make sure it doesn’t have any sharp or blunt objects or firearms.
Your backpack will undergo a safety inspection, and anything deemed suspicious could prevent you from visiting.
FAQs About La Fortaleza
Who built La Fortaleza?
La Fortaleza was built between 1532 and 1540 by the Spaniards in Puerto Rico to serve as a fort that protected the city of San Juan. Carlos V, the king of Spain at the time, authorized the construction.
What is La Fortaleza used for?
La Fortaleza is currently the house of the governor of Puerto Rico, but it was originally a fortress that protected San Juan from attacks. La Fortaleza has also been an arsenal, a prison, and the Spanish Captain-General’s residence. This last one was the highest political and military position under Spanish rule.
Why is La Fortaleza important?
La Fortaleza is important historically, architecturally, and politically. La Fortaleza was the first fortification made by the Spaniards to protect the city from attacks from Puerto Rico’s indigenous people, after their arrival on the island in 1493. Its architecture reflects Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and French Enlightenment designs inherited from Europe. La Fortaleza is also the oldest executive mansion in use in America.
Can you tour La Fortaleza?
Travelers can’t tour La Fortaleza freely, but the executive mansion features tours for tourists through reservations. Tourists who want to tour La Fortaleza can make a reservation by calling 787 721-7000, ext. 2323, 2358, 2211.
Images of La Fortaleza
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Now you know everything you need to know to visit La Fortaleza! Check out my guide to the best things to do in Puerto Rico, to fill your Puerto Rico itinerary with fun, history, culture, and food.
