Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left to fester, abandoned with high crime rates and unsightly graffiti, Santurce has worked
hard to turn the corner. Its recent 21st-century renaissance has been spearheaded by new art
galleries, a performing arts center and a host of trendy clubs.
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
MUSEUM
(MAPR;
Click here
; 787-977-6277, for tours ext 2230 or 3230;
www.mapr.org
;
299 Av José de Diego; adult/student & senior $6/3, admission free 2-8pm Wed;
10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-8pm Wed, 11am-6pm Sun)
While the old town's historic at-
tractions are universally famous, fewer people are aware that San Juan boasts one of the
largest and most celebrated art museums in the Caribbean. Housed in a splendid neoclassic-
al building that was once the city's Municipal Hospital, MAPR boasts 18 exhibition halls
spread over an area of 130,000 sq ft.
But there's far more to this cultural tour de force than just a collection of paintings. Ad-
ding distinction to diversity, the facility also boasts a 2.5-acre sculpture garden, a conser-
vation laboratory, a computer-learning center, a 400-seat theater and a museum shop.
The artistic collection traces paintings, sculptures, posters and carvings from the 17th to
the 21st century, chronicling such renowned Puerto Rican artists as José Campeche, Fran-
cisco Oller, Nick Quijano and Rafael Ferrer.
Do not miss the opportunity to take a walk through the gardens, where winding paths in-
vite visitors to stroll past 16 sculptures and more than 100,000 plants in a scene reminiscent
of Monet's water lilies.
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