Puerto Rico Culture
Trying to define the culture in Puerto Rico is a bit like trying to distinguish the ingredients in a meatloaf after it’s cooked. Essentially the result of indigenous influences mixed with influences from Spanish, Arab, African, Asian, North American, and various European nations, the Puerto Rican culture is essentially a proverbial melting pot of cultures. Still, the blending of these influences has come together to provide an island full of captivating art, architecture, celebrations, and cuisine.
Serious students and tourists of Puerto Rican culture and art often find that the best place to visit for information and examples of such is the Institute of Puerto Rican culture located in the Dominican Convent in the area of Old San Juan. The institute is considered the best place to go on the island for relevant information about the arts and crafts that have become such a popular piece of the culture in Puerto Rico. The Museo de Arte de Ponce is widely renowned for being the top location on the island to view exemplary art as it holds many world-famous paintings including Rossetti’s infamous Daughters of King Lear. Jose Campeche was the islands first world famous painter, and he set the stage for other Puerto Rican artists such as Francisco Oiler, Miguel Pou, Jose Rosa, and Rafael Ferrer. The Puerto Rican culture has much to offer tourists and students in terms of the arts.
The artistic visions from the culture in Puerto Rico do not extend only to the canvas, but to the design and construction of buildings as well. Across the island one can find architectural masterpieces, whether modern or historical, impeccably built and beautifully designed. Old historical structures dating back to the 16th century have survived, especially in the area of San Juan. El Morro Fortress, the San Juan Cathedral, and the Dominican Convent are just a few of the oldest and the most famous historical structures on the island. Also in the region is the Casa Blanca, a world famous mansion built by the first governor of the region. San Cristobal fortress and La Fortaleza are World Heritage Sites on the island, and they were restored with original materials as much as possible in order to keep up the integrity of the structures. The Plaza de Mercado and the Plaza de las Delicias are a bit more new, but still as popular in the tourist community as the Puerto Rican culture is visibly rich and vibrant in the architecture.
Puerto Rican culture celebrates various holidays with a unique tropical style, often including extended holiday celebrations. For example, the culture in Puerto Rico allows for a Christmas celebrations that begins early in December and ends sometimes as late as mid-January. Even beyond Christmas there are numerous fiestas and festivals held throughout the year, and often these celebrations are tourist attractions for visitors who want to experience the famous celebrations of the Puerto Rican culture. Perhaps the reason that the Puerto Rican celebrations are so popular is because the celebrations are influenced by several different cultures. Regardless of the reason, however, the celebrations draw huge crowds of both locals and tourists from all over to world to join in the excitement.
Puerto Rican cuisine is very similar to the Spanish and Mexican cuisine, although it has touches of African and Chinese influences in many of the regional dishes. Some dishes can be traced as far back as the early Indians that occupied the area in the Pre-Columbian era, while still others find their roots in recipes brought over by slaves, an era that brought sugar-cane and okra to the region. Between those ingredients, recipes handed down from generation-to-generation, and the constant influx of new ingredients from different influences, the Puerto Rican culture has developed an enticing and rich cuisine for everyone to enjoy.
The beautiful island of Puerto Rico is not just a land of beaches and vacation resorts, but it is also a land of rich culture and cuisine. Whether it is art and architecture that you fancy, or good food and fancy celebrations, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer any visitor or tourist.
Art in Puerto Rico
Serious students and tourists of Puerto Rican culture and art often find that the best place to visit for information and examples of such is the Institute of Puerto Rican culture located in the Dominican Convent in the area of Old San Juan. The institute is considered the best place to go on the island for relevant information about the arts and crafts that have become such a popular piece of the culture in Puerto Rico. The Museo de Arte de Ponce is widely renowned for being the top location on the island to view exemplary art as it holds many world-famous paintings including Rossetti’s infamous Daughters of King Lear. Jose Campeche was the islands first world famous painter, and he set the stage for other Puerto Rican artists such as Francisco Oiler, Miguel Pou, Jose Rosa, and Rafael Ferrer. The Puerto Rican culture has much to offer tourists and students in terms of the arts.
Architecture in Puerto Rico
The artistic visions from the culture in Puerto Rico do not extend only to the canvas, but to the design and construction of buildings as well. Across the island one can find architectural masterpieces, whether modern or historical, impeccably built and beautifully designed. Old historical structures dating back to the 16th century have survived, especially in the area of San Juan. El Morro Fortress, the San Juan Cathedral, and the Dominican Convent are just a few of the oldest and the most famous historical structures on the island. Also in the region is the Casa Blanca, a world famous mansion built by the first governor of the region. San Cristobal fortress and La Fortaleza are World Heritage Sites on the island, and they were restored with original materials as much as possible in order to keep up the integrity of the structures. The Plaza de Mercado and the Plaza de las Delicias are a bit more new, but still as popular in the tourist community as the Puerto Rican culture is visibly rich and vibrant in the architecture.
Puerto Rican Celebrations
Puerto Rican culture celebrates various holidays with a unique tropical style, often including extended holiday celebrations. For example, the culture in Puerto Rico allows for a Christmas celebrations that begins early in December and ends sometimes as late as mid-January. Even beyond Christmas there are numerous fiestas and festivals held throughout the year, and often these celebrations are tourist attractions for visitors who want to experience the famous celebrations of the Puerto Rican culture. Perhaps the reason that the Puerto Rican celebrations are so popular is because the celebrations are influenced by several different cultures. Regardless of the reason, however, the celebrations draw huge crowds of both locals and tourists from all over to world to join in the excitement.
Famous Puerto Rican Cuisine
Puerto Rican cuisine is very similar to the Spanish and Mexican cuisine, although it has touches of African and Chinese influences in many of the regional dishes. Some dishes can be traced as far back as the early Indians that occupied the area in the Pre-Columbian era, while still others find their roots in recipes brought over by slaves, an era that brought sugar-cane and okra to the region. Between those ingredients, recipes handed down from generation-to-generation, and the constant influx of new ingredients from different influences, the Puerto Rican culture has developed an enticing and rich cuisine for everyone to enjoy.
The beautiful island of Puerto Rico is not just a land of beaches and vacation resorts, but it is also a land of rich culture and cuisine. Whether it is art and architecture that you fancy, or good food and fancy celebrations, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer any visitor or tourist.
Permalink
- Login to post comments
-
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AddThis