Ballajá Barracks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballajá Barracks |
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| Native name Spanish: Cuartel de Ballajá |
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Interior courtyard of the barracks.
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| Location | Old San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Built | 1854-1864 |
| Built for | Spanish Army |
| Restored | 1990-1993 |
| Governing body | State Historic Preservation Office |
| Owner | Government of Puerto Rico |
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The Ballajá Barracks (also known as Cuartel de Ballajá in Spanish) is a very old and important building. It's located in the Ballajá area of Old San Juan, in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This large building was once a home for soldiers.
It stands close to the famous El Morro fort. The barracks were built a long time ago, between 1854 and 1864. They were made to house Spanish and Puerto Rican soldiers. The Ballajá Barracks was the last big building project done by the Spanish Crown in the Americas.
Today, the building belongs to the Government of Puerto Rico. It's now a lively cultural center! You can find the Museum of the Americas here. There's also the Puerto Rican Academy of the Spanish Language. Plus, it has dance schools, art spaces, and restaurants.
Contents
The History of Ballajá Barracks
The Ballajá Barracks was built by the Spanish army. Construction took place from 1854 to 1864. To build it, six blocks of land in the Ballajá area were taken over. These blocks belonged to the Dominican Order and were torn down in 1853.
The building has three floors and was finished in 1864. It covers a large area, about 7,700 square meters (82,882 square feet). It was big enough to house over 1,000 people. These were mainly Spanish soldiers and their families. The huge open space inside, called a patio, is a great example of 19th-century Spanish architecture in Puerto Rico.
Besides living spaces, the barracks also had other rooms. There were storage rooms, kitchens, and places for soldiers to eat. It even had dungeons and stables for horses.
Ballajá Barracks During the Spanish–American War
The barracks were used a lot during the Spanish–American War. This war happened near the end of the 1800s. On May 12, 1898, American ships bombed San Juan. The fleet was led by Admiral William T. Sampson. During this attack, the northeast side of the barracks was damaged.
After the war, Puerto Rico became part of the United States. The barracks then became a home for the United States Army. They used it until 1939.
Ballajá Barracks During World War II
During World War II, the barracks served a different purpose. It was used as a military hospital. It was called the Army General Hospital of Fort Brooke. Later, on August 31, 1944, the hospital was renamed. It became the Rodriguez (161st) General Hospital. This was to honor Major Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas.
After the war ended, the building was left empty. It quickly started to fall apart. Even though it was in bad shape, it was listed as an important historic building in 1955. A scholar named Ricardo Alegría suggested fixing it up. He wanted it to be used for education or culture.
Ballajá Barracks Today
Today, the Ballajá Barracks is home to many educational and cultural groups. The Museo de las Américas opened here in 1992. This museum is on the second floor. It teaches about the history, culture, and heritage of the American continent.
The Museo de Las Américas has three main collections. These are about African Heritage, Native Americans in America, and Popular Arts in America. On the first floor, you can find a dance school. This school teaches tablao flamenco dance. There's also a bar, a movie theater, a coffee shop, and a Spanish restaurant. The second floor has offices and academic groups. These include the Puerto Rican Academy of the Spanish Language.
The building was damaged by Hurricane Maria. But it was successfully repaired with help from FEMA. After careful study, a special "green roof" was added. This roof has plants (sedum) growing on it. This area is open to visitors. It has places to sit, walkways, and even solar panels.
Who Owns Ballajá Barracks?
When Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States, the U.S. government paid the Catholic Church for this property. The ownership of the land was a bit complicated. It had to be decided by the Supreme Court.
The Government of Puerto Rico got the building in 1976. This was a transfer from the Government of the United States. Puerto Rico promised to restore it. They also promised to use it for cultural, educational, and tourism purposes. In 1986, a plan was made to fix up the San Juan Historic Zone. The Ballajá Barracks was then restored from 1990 to 1993.
Gallery
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Ballaja Barracks as seen from El Morro esplanade.
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Interior patio of the Ballajá Barracks
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Ballajá Barracks in Old San Juan at night
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Panoramic view of the Ballajá section of Old San Juan with the barracks in the center.
Images for kids
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The barracks after American bombing during the Battle of San Juan in 1898.
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See also
In Spanish: Cuartel de Ballajá para niños
