To the Center of the Island: A trip to Jayuya

When people think Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, they think about the beach. But there is a lot more than beautiful beaches and tropical drinks on my Enchanting Island. At the inside of the Island you can explore incredible landscapes, filled with leafy trees and magical singing from the birds and coquíes. And the Municipio that we are going to explore on the mountainous Puerto Rico is: Jayuya, known as the center of our Taíno history. 

First stop, Museum of the History of Jayuya, there you can see a painting with iconic reference about the history of the Municpio and also a wall with all the ex-Mayors of the City, also next to the museum there is a very good coffee shop for you to try (Paliques Café). Right next to the coffee shop there is a staircase where the Monument of the Cacique Hayuya lays, a sculpture of the Cacique and a medallion of the "dios Sol" decors the stairs that lead you to the "Indio Puertorriqueño" tomb.    

"Jayuya: Cuando nos separamos de Utuado, 2010"

Grisergio Rivera Gonzáles

                                              

                                                      

The Cultural Center Alberto Suárez can be found when you climb all the way up the stairs. Stablished since 1986, this building has some expositions about our indigenous past. From tools that the Taínos used to some from the colonials, and also you can see the catholic influence on wood sculptures around the center.      

A few minutes away there is one of the most characteristics museums on town, Museo el Cemí. This museum is particularly interesting since is has the shape of one of the most well know pieces that the Taínos possessed, the cemí. A cemí is an artefact that the Taínos used for religious purposes. At the museum you can see pictures of indigenous findings around the Island, also tools and artefacts are spouse. Next to the museum you can visit Casa Canales, which is a replica of the house of Don Rosario Canales Quintero, the first mayor of Jayuya. Also there are the remains of the national hero Nemesio R. Canales.  

The last stop of the trip was to "La Piedra Escrita", an historical place on the Salientito River. The incredible rock has engravings from the Taínos, which has being subject of study from a great number of archeologists. Since 1994 there has being great efforts from the Education and Cultural Commission of the House of Representatives to declare the Petroglyphs a National Monument.     

Well, this is just a pick of what you can explore at the center of Puerto Rico and Jayuya. There is a lot more you can do on the Municpio, and on the Island. Hope you enjoy your visit to Puerto Rico anytime soon!! ^.^♥