• Historia

  • Historia

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Guaynabo has one of the oldest stories of America

Caparra, founded in 1508 by Juan Ponce de León, was the first Spanish settlement of Puerto Rico. It was established in Guaynabo, a city located to the South of San Juan, the Capital of Puerto Rico. At present times Caparra has a Historic Museum and Park where articles, as well as archaeological and historical documents on the conquest and colonization of the country, are preserved. Guaynabo was also the home of one of the major Taino chiefs of Puerto Rico: Mabó. The Carnival of Guaynabo, one of the most spectacular celebrations, bears his name.

The municipality of Guaynabo, founded in 1769, has its own flag since 1972 when the Municipal Assembly also approved the shield and the official seal of the city. Its anthem, “Guaynabo, beloved people”, was written by Rafael Velazquez Pericás.

The people of Guaynabo treasure and value its history, its origins and its culture, protecting its heritage during the constant transformation that has turned the city into a modern destination. The five-star city is one of Puerto Rico’s most important and most visited cities by tourists.

Timeline


Zona Escolar

En esta sección encontrarás la información frecuentemente requerida por las escuelas sobre la historia de Guaynabo, fundación, bandera, escudo, himno, lugares de interés, y museos.Si desea ver el folleto informativo:

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City Symbols

  • The Flag
  • The Shield

The flag

Bandera Guaynabo

The flag of the municipality of Guaynabo consists of a cloth divided vertically into two equal parts by a line which simulates a wall with battlements. The part that is next to the flagpole is green and the other is white. In this last part there are six green battlements and five white ones. The green side displays the same Fleur-de-lis and cross of the shield, which in this case is black and white.

The Shield

Escudo-Guaynabo-Transparente

The shield has a green background. The top part has a cross with fleur de lis ornaments divided by a vertical stripe, a horizontal line and two black and silver diagonal lines. In the lower part of the shield there is a medieval fort. Placed above the seal there is a crown formed by walls and towers. The cross with the fleur de lis ornaments is the badge of the order of preachers from Santo Domingo and it represents San Pedro Mártir de Verona, an illustrious figure in that order and patron of the city of Guaynabo.

The fort symbolizes the town of Caparra, first Capital of Puerto Rico, whose ruins are preserved as historical treasure in the territory of the current municipality of Guaynabo. This Fort represents the residence of the Conqueror Ponce de León, which served as home to the first Governor of Puerto Rico and his family. It also served as headquarters to the oldest municipal Council and was the first fortress on the island. The fort carries a small shield above the entrance with the figure of a purple lion, raised on its hind legs. This small shield is the crest of the Ponce de León family. Green and silver are the oldest heraldic colors of Guaynabo.

Anthem

Guaynabo, my dear town,
I don’t forget you, you are my love,
Guaynabo, you are my delight,
I love you so much, from my heart.

Your people, simple and noble,
the renowned population.
Your valleys and hills,
like swallows looking for the sun.

Your men are remembered
for their deeds, for their loyalty.
Remembering Baldorioty, brave man like no other,
Fighting for the slaves, he won the trials.

His name is respected
in the country and in the city
Guaynabo, you are my town
Filled with dreams and kindness.

Lyrics and music: Rafael Velázquez Pericas

Leaders

Doña Dolores Valdivieso Llompart

First Woman Mayor of Guaynabo

    Román Baldorioty de Castro

    Procer

      Rafael Martínez Nadal

        Guaynabo Mayors

        Guaynabo Today

        During the recent years, Guaynabo has enjoyed a well planned growth following the guidelines of modern engineering.

        There have been several projects to enhance the quality of life of the people of Guaynabo. Some of the most important projects include: the School of Fine Arts, the Multiple Services Building, the Sports Museum, La Marquesa Forest Park, Museum of Transportation, facilities for the Municipal Athletic League and the Felix Pagan Pintor boxing gym in the Amelia neighborhood to help young people who are interested in this sport.

        A recent and important project is Highway 834, a modern road built at a total cost of $38.1 million solely with municipal funds. This highway interconnects neighborhoods such as Camarones, Rio, Hato Nuevo, Mamey I and II and Sonadora.

        In the municipality there are several centers of commercial activity and employment which help to provide a strong economic base for the city. These centers include the Frente Portuario (Port), Amelia Industrial Park, the Julia Industrial neighborhood, commercial and industrial factories along the PR-165, PR-1, Metro Office Park and shopping centers: San Patricio Plaza; Suchville Gallery; Plaza Guaynabo; Ave. Emerald; Torrimar Shopping Center; Jardines de Guaynabo and the González Giusti Street.

        The mountainous area of Guaynabo starts sharply from the center of the town and spreads out towards the borderline with the municipality of Aguas Buenas. In this area is La Marquesa Hill, 510 feet above sea level and .On October 19, 2008 the first phase of the Marquesa Forest Park opened to the public. Thousands of visitors enjoyed this “green lung”, which, as of October 21, 20012, completed two more phases.

        Guaynabo also has several health centers: the Guaynabo Medical Mall, the Hato Nuevo Health Center (CDT) and the Amelia Health Center (currently under renovation).

        Guaynabo residents enjoy a number of social programs such as vouchers for school clothes, as well as the Municipal housing program, established to handle funds and municipal initiatives for the provision of adequate housing for low-income families. The Municipal Administration implemented in 2001 an innovative program to relocate families living under unsafe conditions and place them in safe and modern housing. The successful program has been implemented by the Federal Government in several cities of the American nation, modeling it after the Guaynabo program. Some of these projects are: Portales de Sofia, Miradores de Sabana, Villas de Concepción I and II, Jardines los Filtros, Balcones de Sevilla, Sunset Harbor and Town House Pueblo.

        There are many projects for the welfare of all the Guaynabo residents and for the progress of our city, but in particular, we want Guaynabo to be the best city in Puerto Rico. We are going to continue to develop an advanced infrastructure and we will continue establishing programs for the less fortunate, providing quality of life. The Municipal Police will also be working a security plan, so that all citizens feel safe in the streets and in their homes.

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