Ponce, Cultural center in southern Puerto Rico, United States
Ponce is a coastal city in southern Puerto Rico built around a central square that features the red and black firehouse from the late 1800s. The streets in the old quarter run in a grid pattern and are lined with two-story buildings with balconies and wrought-iron railings, gradually giving way to newer neighborhoods toward the sea.
The city received its name in 1692 after Juan Ponce de León y Loayza and grew into a major port for exporting sugar starting in the 18th century. Rum and sugar production brought wealth in the 1800s that allowed for the construction of the grand homes and public buildings in the downtown area.
The Museo de Arte de Ponce contains over 4,500 works of art, including extensive collections of European paintings, Puerto Rican art, and African artifacts.
Mercedita Airport sits about 3 miles (5 km) east of the center and offers connections to the United States mainland as well as to other cities in Puerto Rico. Most of the sights in the historic center can be reached on foot, while more distant locations such as the Serrallés Castle are easier to reach by car or taxi.
The Serrallés Castle on a hill outside the center belonged to the family that produced Don Q rum and now displays rooms with original furniture from the 1930s. From the cross next to the building, you can see all the way to the coast and the offshore islands on clear days.
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