In Ponce hill top you can find an odd combination package of three locations: “La Cruceta del Vigia” , Castillo Serralles, and Jardin Japones. For $10 (adults) and $5 (kids) you can visit all three locations and take a tour inside the Castle. It is open Tuesday to Sundays and Holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
It’s been a while since I visited this place, specially the Cruceta del Vigia (Wat
chtower) because it had been under renovation; so I went directly to it. To my surprise entering the parking I found a new gate which encloses now the Cruceta and the Japanese Garden. I suspect that they did this to stop the vandalism of the site considering it was a sort of hang-out place, needless to say making-out post. Now in contrast to my other visits, this time I found a well kept parking and beautiful remodeled Cruceta.
After paying at the gate an entrance fee for both the Cruceta and the Japanese Gardens I went directly to the Cruceta.
On the first floor of the Cruceta I found a modern representation of an antique puertorrican living room (sala) and next to it an antique style store that sells local coffe, candy and some
refreshments. I don’t have a picture of the store that I could share with the world but I love it. It has some wood toys like “tropos”, cars, and other games that my grandmother use to play. Also on the first floor you can find bathrooms, pictures and parts of the original watch tower from 1801 and watch points. Now you can take the glass elevator to the top of the Cruceta. From the top, at 300 ft over the sea level you can see and impressive view of Ponce. You don’t have to know what you are looking at. There are pictures all around with nametags of most of the buildings you see thru the windows. That is a great feature may I say.
Once downstairs, right in front of the Cruceta is a replica of the original one standing where old
one was. Some history: The Cruceta del Vijia was established in 1801 as a lookout tower to warn of attacks. Once a ship was spotted in the distance “the sentry would raise a flag with the vessels’ country of origin, allowing town citizens and troops to prepare for possible incoming attacks.”
Across from the Cruceta is the Japanese Garden. You go up the stairs not knowing what to
expect, I mean it is right in the middle of what used to be a parking lot; then you are transported to another world. I mean, peacefulness and tranquility all with oriental music on the back. There is a trail that goes around the garden. Thru the trail you will find bonsai trees, ponds with water lillies, zen sand and rock garden and willow trees. There is a plaza which I don’t know what it is used for, but it would be extra cool to see people in this plaza practicing Akido or maybe Sumo. :)
It’s been a while since I visited this place, specially the Cruceta del Vigia (Wat
chtower) because it had been under renovation; so I went directly to it. To my surprise entering the parking I found a new gate which encloses now the Cruceta and the Japanese Garden. I suspect that they did this to stop the vandalism of the site considering it was a sort of hang-out place, needless to say making-out post. Now in contrast to my other visits, this time I found a well kept parking and beautiful remodeled Cruceta.After paying at the gate an entrance fee for both the Cruceta and the Japanese Gardens I went directly to the Cruceta.
On the first floor of the Cruceta I found a modern representation of an antique puertorrican living room (sala) and next to it an antique style store that sells local coffe, candy and some
refreshments. I don’t have a picture of the store that I could share with the world but I love it. It has some wood toys like “tropos”, cars, and other games that my grandmother use to play. Also on the first floor you can find bathrooms, pictures and parts of the original watch tower from 1801 and watch points. Now you can take the glass elevator to the top of the Cruceta. From the top, at 300 ft over the sea level you can see and impressive view of Ponce. You don’t have to know what you are looking at. There are pictures all around with nametags of most of the buildings you see thru the windows. That is a great feature may I say.Once downstairs, right in front of the Cruceta is a replica of the original one standing where old
one was. Some history: The Cruceta del Vijia was established in 1801 as a lookout tower to warn of attacks. Once a ship was spotted in the distance “the sentry would raise a flag with the vessels’ country of origin, allowing town citizens and troops to prepare for possible incoming attacks.”Across from the Cruceta is the Japanese Garden. You go up the stairs not knowing what to
expect, I mean it is right in the middle of what used to be a parking lot; then you are transported to another world. I mean, peacefulness and tranquility all with oriental music on the back. There is a trail that goes around the garden. Thru the trail you will find bonsai trees, ponds with water lillies, zen sand and rock garden and willow trees. There is a plaza which I don’t know what it is used for, but it would be extra cool to see people in this plaza practicing Akido or maybe Sumo. :)Well, come back later for this paseo’s part 2.
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