The Resting Place of a Conquistador

Juan Ponce de Leon

San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

 

If you should find this blog of interest in any way, you will discover that most of my posts will concern cemeteries found in Maine. However, on occasion it has been my privilege to venture elsewhere. When doing so it has been of great excitement to me to explore cemeteries and places of interment. One such place has been the tropical island of Puerto Rico. It has been called the gateway to the Caribbean and sits east of the Dominican Republic. Should you ever get to go to Puerto Rico you will discover that it is a place not only of great beauty, but also of great historical significance. I am sure I have only begun to scratch the surface of the many stories the island has to tell, but one is that of Ponce de Leon, who you will find buried in the capital city of San Juan.

 

 

 

If you are not readily familiar with him, you need do little more than pick up any history book which chronicles the early Spanish exploration of the New World. Perhaps the mention of the mythical fountain of youth will jog your memory. Ponce de Leon was one of the first Spanish explorers to set foot in the new world. His tale should you choose to research it is one of adventure and also cruelty. I will endeavor to tell the short version here. Ponce de Leon probably came to the New World for the first time with Christopher Columbus on one of his later voyages. His journey would begin on the island then known as Hispanola. Here he became wealthy through the oppression of the native population in agricultural endeavors. Eventually he would move on to what is now Puerto Rico and build a settlement there. Once again he would rely on the oppression of the native population. Despite his cruelty, Ponce de Leon can be accredited with much of the exploration of Puerto Rico. In fact the modern day city of Ponce bears his name. However, his time in Puerto Rico was not to last. Due primarily to claims of Columbus' son Ponce de Leon lost control of the island. This was one of the driving forces that sent him to explore and settle Florida. In fact it was Ponce de Leon that gave Florida its name.

 

 

Many stories have arisen over the centuries about Ponce de Leon and his search for the fountain of youth. While these are probably mostly based in myth, they have captured the attention of many. The truth is that Ponce de Leon's interest in Florida was probably for his own monetary gain and that of Spain. Still it is fascinating and sobering that the man who is most associated with pursuing youthfulness now lies dead and buried. You can find the resting place of Juan Ponce de Leon in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. This church is located right in the middle of the Old San Juan district. It should be noted that this has only been his resting place since 1836. Before this he was buried in the crypt of another church in San Juan. Unfortunately, I have never been able to get in to see his former resting place, but who knows, maybe on my next trip to Puerto Rico.

As you enter the Cathedral you need simply to look to your left along the wall to find the tomb of Ponce de Leon. If you are like me you may also enjoy exploring this old Catholic Church.