Built in 1854 as a military barracks, the cuartel is an impressive three-story edifice with large gates on two ends, a series of arches and a large central courtyard. It was the last building constructed by the Spaniards in the New World. Facilities once included officers’ quarters, warehouses, kitchens, dining rooms, prison cells and stables; today it's home to several administrative offices, a dance studio, a music school, several cafes and the first-rate Museo de las Américas.
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Cuartel de Ballajá
San Juan
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
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Nearby San Juan attractions
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2. Plaza del Quinto Centenario
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