El Galpon, San Juan
The festival of the Three Kings is probably more celebrated in Puerto Rico than even Christmas. In almost every crafts store in San Juan, you will find shelves of wood carved saints or 鈥渟antos鈥� in all sizes and styles, most often representative of the Three Kings. Historically, these wood images of saints were used as objects for prayer.
Today, the saints represent an important part of Puerto Rican culture. When the Spanish arrived on the island in the late 1400鈥檚, these representations of saints were used to help in efforts to convert to Catholicism the indigenous people of the island 鈥� at first the Taino Indians and later the slaves from Western Africa. Saint carvings eventually evolved to become more a part of the art culture leaving behind much of the religious attachments.
These statuettes can be simple or ornately painted and can be hung on the wall or can stand on their own. You can find these wood carvings of saints at many shops throughout San Juan but El Galpon located in a little alley right off one of the main shopping streets, has a special collection displayed along the wall and the shop鈥檚 owner will give you a history about the saints and their origins. Price: $45-$1,000.00
What to buy here: Wood Carvings of Saints.
Today, the saints represent an important part of Puerto Rican culture. When the Spanish arrived on the island in the late 1400鈥檚, these representations of saints were used to help in efforts to convert to Catholicism the indigenous people of the island 鈥� at first the Taino Indians and later the slaves from Western Africa. Saint carvings eventually evolved to become more a part of the art culture leaving behind much of the religious attachments.
These statuettes can be simple or ornately painted and can be hung on the wall or can stand on their own. You can find these wood carvings of saints at many shops throughout San Juan but El Galpon located in a little alley right off one of the main shopping streets, has a special collection displayed along the wall and the shop鈥檚 owner will give you a history about the saints and their origins. Price: $45-$1,000.00
What to buy here: Wood Carvings of Saints.
Image Courtesy of Stacey Hocheiser.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Juan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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El Galpon on Map
Sight Name: El Galpon
Sight Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (See walking tours in San Juan)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (See walking tours in San Juan)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Create Your Own Walk in San Juan
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Juan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Souvenir Shopping
The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493 and the ensuing Spanish colonization brought into Puerto Rico a number of new crafts. Over the next few centuries, having mixed up with local traditions, they have flourished on the new turf, producing an array of colorful products that today are sought after by tourists visiting the island. While in San Juan, it would be a pity to leave town without... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
Old San Juan Walking Tour
Founded by Spanish colonists in 1509, at a site then known as "Puerto Rico" (which means Rich Port in Spanish), San Juan is the third oldest capital in the Americas established by Europeans. In 1521, the words "San Juan" were added to its official name, thus making it "San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico". This was in keeping with the custom of christening the town with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
San Juan Historical Buildings
One of the oldest capital cities on the American continent, San Juan, Puerto Rico, boasts an old town that is filled to the brim with heritage colonial architecture.
Chief among its historical buildings, La Fortaleza, or The Fortress, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico and the longest-standing executive mansion in continuous use in America. At the same time, the Cathedral... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chief among its historical buildings, La Fortaleza, or The Fortress, is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico and the longest-standing executive mansion in continuous use in America. At the same time, the Cathedral... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Old San Juan Squares
A distinctive feature of Old San Juan is the multitude of quaint picturesque squares, many of them adorned with beautiful fountains and spectacular monuments. Each square has a unique character and historical significance, making them integral to the city's identity.
Plaza Colon, also known as Columbus Square, pays homage to Christopher Columbus and his exploration of the New World. It... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Plaza Colon, also known as Columbus Square, pays homage to Christopher Columbus and his exploration of the New World. It... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
13 Distinctively Puerto Rican Goods to Bring Home from San Juan
The uniqueness of Puerto Rico is partially associated with its political status - part of the United States yet with a Latin twist. Other than their widely-acknowledged musical talents, e.g. Carlos Santana and Ricky Martin, Puerto Rico is just as rich in many other good things. When you're in...