Catedral in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico — The Caribbean (The West Indies)
Parque de las Palomas
| — | San Juan National Historic Site | — |
For many years families in San Juan have brought children here to feed pigeons (palomas) and enjoy views of the harbor. But it was much different here during San Juan's military past. Parque de las Palomas sits on top of a section of the massive city wall that once surrounded Old San Juan.
Notice your location in the artist's concept (right) of the scene in front of you as it appeared in the mid-1800s. Notice the city behind you and the crops and stables in front. Until the late 1800s almost all of San Juan's buildings stood safely inside the city wall. Areas beyond the wall contained features that required less protection like cropland and pasture.
(Spanish):
Durante muchos años, las familias de San Juan han traído a sus hijos para que alimenten a las palomas y disfruten de las vistas del puerto. Pero, durante el pasado militar de San Juan, era muy diferente. El Parque de las palomas se encuentra en una sección de la enorme muralla que en el pasado rodeaba al Viejo San Juan.
El dibujo a su derecha es una representación de como se veían las áreas alrededor de usted a mediados del siglo 19. Observe la ciudad detrás de usted y los campos y los establos al frente. Hasta fines del siglo 19, casi todas las construcciones de San Juan estaban seguras dentro de la muralla de la ciudad. Las áreas que se encontraban más allá de las murallas, por ejemplo tierras para cultivo y pastoreo, necesitaban menos protección.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 18° 27.838′ N, 66° 7.069′ W. Marker is in San Juan in Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is in Catedral. It can be reached from the intersection of Calle del Cristo and Calle Tetuan, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in the Parque de las Palomas. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 259 Calle del Cristo, San Juan PR 00901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is one of the Greater Antilles on the Caribbean Sea, on in the Atlantic Ocean, in North America, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Doña Felisa Rincón De Gautier (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Parque de las Palomas (here, next to this marker); Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud / Chapel of Christ the Savior (a few steps from this marker); El Recreo / Recess (a few steps from this marker); Bienvenidos Parque de las Palomas / Welcome Parque de las Palomas (a few steps from this marker); Doña Felisa Rincón de Gautier (within shouting distance of this marker); The Center for Provision Retailers Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Bastión de las Palmas (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.

