9 Best Sights in San German, Ponce and the Porta Caribe

At the eastern end of Plaza Francisco Mariano Quiñones, this Spanish colonial--style building served as the town's city hall from 1844 to 1950. Once used as a prison, it is now houses the town's tourism office.

One of the oldest religious buildings in the Americas, this mission-style chapel overlooks the long, rectangular Plazuela de Santo Domingo. It's not a grand building, but its position at the top of a stone stairway gives it a noble air. Queen Isabel Segunda decreed that the Dominicans should build a church and monastery in San Germán, so a rudimentary building was erected in 1609, replaced in 1692 by the structure seen today. (Sadly, most of the monastery was demolished in 1866, leaving only a vestige of its facade.) The chapel functions as a museum of religious art, displaying painted wooden statuary by Latin American and Spanish artists.

This criollo-style house bears the name of poet and activist Lola Rodríguez de Tió. Although a plaque claims she lived here, town officials believe it actually belonged to her sister. Rodríguez, whose mother was a descendant of Ponce de León, was deported several times by Spanish authorities for her revolutionary ideas. She lived in Venezuela and then in Cuba, where she died in 1924. The museum, which houses Rodríguez's desk and papers, doesn't maintain regular hours; call ahead to schedule a tour with the local Interamerican University.

East of the Plazuela de Santo Domingo, this 19th-century house (a private residence) is known for its eclectic architecture, which mixes neoclassical and criollo elements. Note the elegant stained glass over the front windows.

Facing Plazuela de Santo Domingo, this Victorian-style house was designed in 1913 by architect Pedro Vivoni for his brother, Tomás. The gleaming white structure has numerous towers and gables. The current owners have kept it in mint condition. It is not open to the public.

You'll find an excellent example of Puerto Rican ornamental architecture in this white, gigantic but elegant, 1920 mansion, which sits a block south of Plazuela Santo Domingo. Note the sensuous curves of the wraparound balcony and wood trim around the doors. It's not open to the public.

Dating from 1739, this neoclassical church has seen many additions over the years. The impressive crystal chandelier, for example, was imported from Barcelona and added in 1866. Be sure to take a look at the carved-wood ceiling in the nave. This church is still in use, so the only time you can get a look inside is during services or through local tour guides. 

On the north side of Plaza Francisco Mariano Quiñones, this two-story home was built in 1871 for Tomás Agrait. (If you look closely, you can still see his initials in the wrought-iron decorations.) For many years it served as a center of cultural activities in San Germán. Today, it holds several shops.

This early-20th-century home—built in a criollo style with some obvious neoclassical influences—has been turned into a museum. Displays include colonial furnishings, religious art, and artifacts of indigenous peoples; there are also rotating exhibits by local artists.