Paseo de la Princesa

Paseo de la Princesa (English: Promenade of the Princess or Princess Promenade), is a partially waterside 19th-century pedestrian promenade about .50 mi in length located in the historic district of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. Constructed between 1852 and 1854 in honor of Queen Isabella II of Spain’s first-born, Princess of Asturias Infanta Isabel, the promenade runs adjacent and parallel to the southwestern section of the Walls of Old San Juan, passing through the Fuente Raíces (Roots Fountain) honoring Puerto Rican identity, and ending at Puerta de San Juan (San Juan Gate), the starting location of Paseo del Morro ''(Promenade of the Morro). '' Lined with Victorian lampposts and benches, large trees and gardens, and varying fountains and sculptures, it hosts food and artisan vendors, musical and theatrical entertainers, and cultural restaurants and festivals.

The promenade starts at Bastión de la Derecha de San Justo y Pastor (Left-side Bastion of San Justo and Pastor) on the Walls of Old San Juan in Marina, the southernmost sub-barrio in Old San Juan on the San Juan Islet, passing through passing by the Antigua Prisión La Princesa (The Princess Old Prison) from 1837, currently housing the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and the popular Fuente Raíces (Roots Fountain), a large sculptural fountain overlooking San Juan Bay since 1992 that represents Puerto Rican identity, a mixture of Taino, Spanish, and Sub-Saharan African ancestry and culture, and ending in the southwestern sub-barrio of Catedral in Old San Juan at the beginning of the western section of the Walls of Old San Juan at Puerta de San Juan (San Juan Gate), formerly known as Puerta de Agua (Water Gate), which lies next to La Fortaleza, the 16th-century executive residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, and is the starting location of Paseo del Morro (Promenade of the Morro), the waterfront promenade covering the rest of the western section of the defensive walls, culminating on Punta del Morro (Morro Point) at the bottom of Castillo San Felipe del Morro at the westernmost position on San Juan Islet overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay, the Bar Channel.

Overview
Paseo de la Princesa is often described as one of the most scenic city walkways in the world and, as a result of its location close to the cruise ship harbor, it is often the starting point for sightseeing in Old San Juan.

Located on a plaza at the midpoint of the promenade, Fuente Raíces (Roots Fountain) is a 1992 sculpture fountain by Spanish sculptor Luis Sanguino representing and celebrating the ancestral roots of the Puerto Rican identity: the European culture brought by the Spanish and other settlers, the African culture by the Sun-Saharan African slaves and the indigenous culture by the native Taino. This plaza also hosts a small wooden dock that offers great views of San Juan Bay, El Yunque and the Sierra de Luquillo to the east, and of other municipalities, such as Cataño and Bayamón to the west.

The only remaining city gate on the Walls of Old San Juan, the iconic Puerta de San Juan (San Juan Gate), originally called the Puerta de Agua (Water Gate) because it was the first gate to offer water access to the city of Old San Juan, is found at the end of the promenade. The gate is near La Fortaleza, Capilla del Cristo and Parque de las Palomas. There is also waterside promenade named Paseo del Morro that continues along the western defensive walls towards El Morro at the entrance to San Juan Bay.

Other landmarks and attractions are the Americas Heritage Fountain, the San Justo y Pastor Bastion, the La Concepción Bastion, and a playground for children. The promenade also hosts an open air café and a restaurant that serves traditional Puerto Rican food called Princesa Gastrobar. Piraguas, piña coladas and platanutres (fried plantain chips) are popular drinks and snacks to buy in the esplanade. During the weekends and festival celebrations, one can find live music, street vendors, traditional street food and temporary art exhibitions. There is live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays, and salsa music and dance on Saturdays and Sundays.

History


In 1837, the interim prison of Antigua Prisión La Princesa (The Princess Old Prison), originally known as Real Cárcel La Princesa (The Princess Royal Jail), was first built in the named after Queen Isabella II of Spain, who in 1833 was proclaimed sovereign at the age of three following her father Ferdinand VII’s death.

In 1854, Puerto Rico's Governor and Lieutenant General Don Fernando de Norzagaray foresaw an expansion of the prison and the construction of its tower. The prison had capacity for about 240 prisoners and continued to operate until 1965.

While the promenade itself dates to the 1850s, its location was originally used by the Spanish military as a cleared field of fire for the cannons and guns that were located outside of the Walls of Old San Juan.

The promenade and surrounding areas fell into disrepair during the 20th century, but it was rehabilitated and restored in 1989. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is now headquartered at the former prison. The company also installed a time capsule in 1995, located under the promenade section in front of the historic building. The time capsule was opened in 2020, and two more were installed afterwards. These capsules are stated to be opened in 2045. La Princesa prison building also houses a small art exhibition and often hosts cultural events.