When leaving la Plaza de la Rogativa walk through the iron gates at the western end of the square. After a couple of minutes you’ll come to a fork on the road and you’ll see a colonial structure painted in bright pink. It’s called “La Casa Rosada” or Pink House, and it was originally built in 1812 to house the Spanish soldiers that guarded the nearby San Agustín Bastion. Later on, in 1851, it was converted into the Spanish Army’s officer’s quarters. In more recent times, the building was remodeled to serve as a museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts. Today the building is a daycare center for the government employee’s children.
Across the street from “La Casa Rosada” you will see a sentry box that points straight towards the San Juan Gate and “La Fortaleza” area. This is an excellent spot for taking beautiful pictures of these historical landmarks. But, please be extra careful, especially if you are visiting the Island with your children, and refrain from walking on the city walls. The 40-foot fall onto the San Juan Wall promenade will surely ruin your day and probably your vacation.