Traveling Tolins 2

San Juan’s Old Town boasts 500 years of history, colonial architecture splashed with tropical colors, and a relaxed, timeless appeal.  Perhaps nothing captures the history of Puerto Rico more than Old San Juan’s massive fortresses.  El Morro and Castillo de San Cristobal’s cannons, ramparts, and layered defenses have guarded the walled city for centuries.  One of the earliest structures in Old Town, La Casa Blanca, was both its earliest fortress, built in 1521, and home to its earliest ruling family, the de Leons.  Although conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon died before ever living there-having departed Puerto Rico for the Bahamas in search of the mythical Fountain of Youth-his descendants occupied La Casa Blanca for 200 years.  Today, it is a historical monument and museum dedicated to depicting 16 th - and 17 th -century exploration and culture. Historic Old San Juan by Foot   During today's excursion, we e xplored the important monuments and plazas of historic Old San