Capilla del Cristo

Built in 1753, the tiny picturesque Capilla del Cristo (south end of Calle de la Cristo, Old San Juan, 787/722-0861) is one of the most photographed sights in San Juan [1]. Legend has it that horse races were held on Calle del Cristo, and one ill-fated rider was speeding down the hill so fast he couldn’t stop in time and tumbled over the city wall to his death, and the chapel was built to prevent a similar occurrence. An alternative end to the legend is that the rider survived and the church was built to show thanks to God. Either way, the result was the construction of a beloved landmark.

Unfortunately, Capilla del Cristo is rarely open, but it’s possible to peer through the windows and see the ornate gilded altarpiece. Beside it is Parque de Palomas [2], a gated park overlooking San Juan Harbor that is home to more pigeons than you might think imaginable. Bird seed is available for purchase if you want to get up close and personal with your fine feathered friends.