Culture and History

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Christopher Columbus discovered the Island of Puerto Rico in November 1493, during his second voyage. His first landing was in the western region, to search for water. Upon landing he baptized the Island "Isla de San Juan Bautista." In 1508 Juan Ponce de León decided to explore and colonize the Island. Ponce de León's earliest expeditions included the area of Guánica. Led by Cristóbal de Sotomayor, he founded a village called "La Villa del Sotomayor." After fierce attacks by the Taíno Indians, the village was moved and renamed San Germán in honor of the second wife of King Ferdinand of Spain. The first rum factory was established in this region and from here the first Paso Fino horses were sent to Perú. Some of Puerto Rico's key historical figures come from Cabo Rojo and surrounding municipalities. Dr. Eugenio María de Hostos from Mayagüez is considered one of the great educators of this hemisphere. Segundo Ruiz Belvis, from Hormigueros, fought to free slaves on the Island. Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, from Cabo Rojo, was the leader of "El Grito de Lares," an armed rebellion against Spain in 1868. At the turn of the century José de Diego, a lawyer from Aguadilla promoting independence, came to be known as "El Caballero de La Raza." Also from Aguadilla is Rafael Hernández, considered to be one of Latin America's most important composers. This is just a small sample of talented leaders and artists from Porta del Sol who helped shape 500 years of Puerto Rico's history.   See below some of the historic and cultural places to visit in Cabo Rojo:   Plaza de Recreo de Cabo Rojo (Cabo Rojo Town Square) Place: Downtown in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico   Come to Cabo Rojo Town Square, relax, and enjoy mingling with the locals.   El Faro Lighthouse and Cabo Rojo Salt Flats Place: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico   The Cabo Rojo Lighthouse was built in 1881 over limestone cliffs that drop 200 feet into the sea. It is also known as "Faro de Los Morillos". This old lighthouse was automated and electrically charged in 1967. If you have never seen how sea salt is harvested, now is your chance. On the east of the isthmus that connects to the lighthouse you can see the grid for the evaporation system as well as piles of harvested salt.   The Salt Flats are considered very important for migratory birds in the Carbbean. Around 40,000 birds visit this place every year. The "Centro Interpretativo de las Salinas de Cabo Rojo" has a museum on the history and the ecology of the area.     Museo de los Próceres de Cabo Rojo Place: Rebeca Colberg Complex, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico The "Museo de los Próceres de Cabo Rojo"(The Cabo Rojo Leading Men Museum) includes a sculpture exhibition of national leaders, an Indian culture gallery, exhibits of Puerto Rican contemporary artists, a collection of paintings and a theater for plays and conferences.   San Miguel Arcángel Parish Place: Down Town in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico   Located in Cabo Rojo Town Square, its construction started on 1771 and ended on 1843.       Christmas Lightning Place: Cabo Rojo Town Square, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico Date: December 1 to January 18   Traditional chistmas lightning of Cabo Rojo Town Square.