Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis

San Juan


This 19th-century cemetery sits just outside the old city's northern fortifications, backed by dazzlingly blue ocean. The colony’s earliest citizens are buried here, as well as the tomb of famous freedom fighter Pedro Albizu Campos. This Harvard-educated chemical engineer, lawyer and politician led the agricultural workers’ strikes in 1934 and was at the forefront of the movement for Puerto Rican independence. The best views are from above; muggings have occurred here, so be careful if you venture in.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Juan attractions

1. Cuartel de Ballajá

0.1 MILES

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…

2. Plaza del Quinto Centenario

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This modern square is shoehorned in among several architectural landmarks and offers great views over El Morro and the ocean beyond. Built in 1992 to…

3. Museo de las Américas

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4. Escuela de Artes Plásticas y Diseño

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5. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña

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Constructed in the mid-19th century as a shelter for the poor, this bright-yellow building houses the executive offices of this institute that organizes a…

6. Iglesia de San José

0.15 MILES

What it lacks in grandiosity it makes up for in age: the Iglesia de San José is the second-oldest church in the Americas, after the cathedral in Santo…

7. Plaza de San José

0.17 MILES

This small cobblestone plaza is dominated by a statue of Juan Ponce de León, cast from English cannons captured in the raid of 1797. It's a popular spot…

8. Museo de San Juan

0.17 MILES

Set in a former marketplace, this small museum offers the definitive take on the city's 500-year history. A permanent exhibit showcases well-laid-out…