The San Juan Gate

In 1634-38 a line of massive walls rose up to defend the low southern coast of Old San Juan which faces the harbor. On the north side of the city, a margin of rocky cliffs was deemed defense enough until the mid-18th century, when more walls and bastions were added facing the sea. Five gates pierced the massive walls of the completely fortified city.
San Juan Gate, next to the governors' palace at  La Fortaleza, was for a long time the main entrance to Old San Juan. Through this gate official ceremonies welcomed new governors and bishops as they landed to take their new positions.


Along the north city wall the gates of San José and Santa Rosa opened to the rugged Atlantic shoreline, and on the south side of the city, San Justo or España Gate faced the harbor. Only one passageway connected San Juan to the rest of Puerto Rico on the landward side: Santiago Gate, located just below Castillo de San Cristobal. It was razed by Spanish authorities in 1897 along with a segment of the city walls to let the overcrowded colonial capital to grow.