The Forts of San Juan

There are two forts protecting San Juan, one from an ocean attack, the other from land invasion. The largest, which guards the harbor, is El Castillo San Felipe del Morro, usually refered to as EL Morro. A half mile to the east is Fort San Cristobal. Looking east along the coast from the ramparts of San Cristobal one can see all the way to Isla Verde. Looking slightly south you gaze at the old city and the Capitol Building. San Juan's first defensive building was Casa Blanca, a substantial structure used to store weapons and government funds. It also was built to house the first Spanish governor, Ponce de León; he never lived in it, but his descendants did for more than 250 years.