Fortín de San Gerónimo

Fortín de San Gerónimo is a stone fortress overlooking Condado Lagoon with Spanish colonial military architecture and strategic defense features. The structure displays the fortification techniques and layout typical of coastal defensive posts from that era.

The fort was built in 1791 as a replacement for the older El Boquerón battery and became important to San Juan's defense network. It withstood British attacks during the 1797 invasion of the city.

The name honors Saint Jerome, reflecting Spanish colonial religious naming traditions of the era. Today visitors experience how military structures shaped local identity and coastal consciousness.

Access is easiest via the coastal path that starts near nearby hotels and reaches the fort directly. The surrounding walkways are accessible but offer little shade, so visiting early helps with comfort.

The grounds contain a separate gunpowder storage building from 1769, showing how ammunition and explosives were stored away from the main fort for safety. This precaution was standard practice at coastal fortifications of the period.

Location: San Juan

Website: https://nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr3.htm

GPS coordinates: 18.46278,-66.08417

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45