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El Capitolio de Puerto Rico
Photo courtesy of the Puerto Rico Office of Historic Preservation |
For Puerto Ricans, El Capitolio de Puerto Rico stands as a powerful symbol
of self-government. Former resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Luis Muñoz
Rivera promoted the idea of constructing a capitol building as early as
1907; later he was the prime mover in seeking the capitol building's construction
between 1925 and 1929. The dome, however, was not completed until 1961.
Although Puerto Rican architect Rafael Carmoega designed this magnificent
Neoclassical Revival style building, many other famous Puerto Rican artists--Rafael
Rios Rey, José Oliver, Jorge Rechani and Rafael Tufiño and others--collaborated
on the capitol's interior design, which is highlighted by murals and mosaics
depicting Puerto Rico's history.
El Capitolio de Puerto Rico is located astride the Ponce de León
and Muñoz Rivera aves. in the area of Puerta de Tierra in San Juan,
Puerto Rico. It still houses the Puerto Rico Legislature. Guided tours
can be reserved by calling 787-721-5200, ext.301 or by emailing at solicitud.turismo@oslpr.org. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 5:00pm (the Capitol Building is not open to the public on weekends) and tours are given in English or Spanish. For further information,
visit the Legislature's website.
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