Few buildings in Puerto Rico carry as much history as the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. Built in 1521, it is the second-oldest cathedral in the Americas and the oldest in continuous use on U.S. soil. In this episode, I explore its history, relics, and secrets — paired with a simple but powerful Caribbean cocktail.
The cathedral’s first wooden structure was destroyed by a hurricane, but by 1540 it was rebuilt in stone. Over centuries, it expanded into the Gothic and neoclassical landmark that dominates Calle del Cristo today.
Inside lies the tomb of Juan Ponce de León, the island’s first governor and explorer. The cathedral also holds relics of San Pío, a Christian martyr, as well as items used by Pope John Paul II during his 1984 visit. For Puerto Ricans, it remains a place of faith, culture, and memory — a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, patroness of Puerto Rico.
Cocktail Spotlight
I pair this episode with the Daiquirí. With just rum, lime, and sugar, it is one of the purest cocktails of the Caribbean — simple foundations, perfectly balanced. Just like the cathedral itself.