View source for Capitol of Puerto Rico

{{Short description|Seat of Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico}}
{{Distinguish|Capital of Puerto Rico}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox historic building
| name             = Capitol of Puerto Rico
| native_name      = ''Capitolio de Puerto Rico''
| former_names     = 
| alternate_names  = ''El Capitolio''<br/> ''Casa de las Leyes''<br/> '' Palacio de las Leyes''
| image            = {{multiple image
| border      = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow      = 1/1/2/1
| image1   = Capitolio de Puerto Rico (28755163211).jpg
| image2   = San Juan, Puerto Rico (51266646648) (cropped).jpg
| image3  = San Juan, castillo de San Cristóbal 1.jpg
| image4  = The Capitol of Puerto Rico (5420915649).jpg
| image5  = San Juan Puerto Rico (33519972611).jpg
}}
| image_alt        = 
| caption          = '''From top, left to right''': Main façade (north) of the Capitol from ''Plaza San Juan Bautista'' through ''Plaza de la Democracia'' on [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]] Avenue; rear façade (south) of the Capitol on [[Avenida Juan Ponce de León |Juan Ponce de León Avenue]]; north views of the Capitol from [[Castillo San Cristóbal (San Juan) |San Cristóbal]] fortress; and view of [[San Juan Islet]] with Captitol in center (far left) overlooking [[Old San Juan]], [[San Juan Bay]], [[ Puerta de Tierra]], and [[Condado (Santurce) |Condado]] in [[Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico |Santurce]]
| location         = [[Avenida Ponce de León]] and Avenida Muñoz Rivera, [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
| address          = 1 Plaza de la Democracia, San Juan, PR, 00901
| coordinates      = {{Coord|18|28|1|N|66|6|21|W|display=inline,title}}
| altitude         = 
| start_date       = 1921
| completion_date  = 1929
| inauguration_date = February 11, 1929
| demolition_date  = 
| architect        = [[Rafael Carmoega]]
| cost             = 
| embedded         = {{designation list | embed=yes
  | designation1 = NRHP
  | designation1_offname = El Capitolio de Puerto Rico<ref>{{cite web |title=NRHP Nomination Form of Capitolio de Puerto Rico|url=https://docs.pr.gov/files/OECH/Lugares%20Historicos/Propiedades%20en%20el%20Registro%20Nacional/San%20Juan/Capitolio%20de%20Puerto%20Rico.pdf |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=pr.gov}}</ref> 
  | designation1_date = November 18, 1977
  | designation1_number = 77001555<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
| map_type         = 
| map_alt          = 
| map_caption      = 
| building_type    = [[Legislature]]
| architectural_style = [[Neoclassical architecture |Neoclassical]], [[Beaux-Arts architecture]]
| structural_system = 
| mapframe-zoom    = 13
| mapframe         = yes
| mapframe-marker  = building
| mapframe-caption = Interactive
}}
The '''Capitol of Puerto Rico''' ({{langx|es|Capitolio de Puerto Rico}}), also known as the '''''Casa de las Leyes''''' (House of Laws), and most commonly referred to as the '''''El Capitolio''''' (The Capitol), is the [[Seat of government|seat]] of the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico|Legislative Assembly]] of [[Puerto Rico]], a bicameral [[legislature]] composed of a [[Senate of Puerto Rico|Senate]] and a [[House of Representatives of Puerto Rico|House of Representatives]] responsible for the legislative branch of the [[government of Puerto Rico|government]] in the [[Geography of Puerto Rico|archipelago and island]]. Located in [[San Juan Islet]] immediately outside the [[Walls of Old San Juan|city walls]] of the [[Old San Juan]] historic quarter in the capital [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|municipality]] of [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], the [[Atlantic Ocean|ocean]] and [[San Juan Bay|bayfront]], [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] style, entirely white [[marble]]-cladded edifice was built by architect [[Rafael Carmoega]] between 1921 and 1929 to resemble the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in [[Rome]], using as inspiration the [[Low Memorial Library]] in [[New York City]]. It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places|U.S. National Register of Historic Places]] in 1977.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=November 18, 1977 |title=El Capitolio de Puerto Rico |url=https://docs.pr.gov/files/OECH/Lugares%20Historicos/Propiedades%20en%20el%20Registro%20Nacional/San%20Juan/Capitolio%20de%20Puerto%20Rico.pdf |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=Capitolio de Puerto Rico: Diseño y Construcción |url=https://www.fxapr.org/post/capitolio-de-puerto-rico-dise%C3%B1o-y-construcci%C3%B3n |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=fxapr.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Structures and Monuments in Which Georgia Stone was Used |url=https://quarriesandbeyond.org/states/ga/ga-structs_and_monuments_2d.html |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=quarriesandbeyond.org}}</ref>

Situated in the center of [[San Juan Islet]] in the [[Puerta de Tierra, San Juan|Puerta de Tierra]] historic district overlooking the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in the north and [[San Juan Bay]] in the south from an elevated point, the Capitol of Puerto Rico is about {{convert|1|mi|km||lk=on|abbr=out}} from both the [[La Fortaleza]], seat of the [[Governor of Puerto Rico|executive branch]], in the [[Old San Juan]] historic quarter in the western end of the Islet, and the [[Supreme Court Building (Puerto Rico)|Supreme Court Building]], seat of the [[Judiciary of Puerto Rico|judicial branch]], in the eastern end of the Islet in Puerta de Tierra. The Court and Capitol are directly connected via [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]] Avenue in the north and [[Avenida Juan Ponce de León|Juan Ponce de León Avenue]] in the south, both of which are directly linked to La Fortaleza via San Francisco Street in the north and Fortaleza Street in the south.
[[File:Puerto Rico - Capitolio.jpg|left|thumb|265x265px|Rear façade (south) and side profile (east) of the Capitol, c. 1930]]

==History==
[[File:Puerto_Rico_State_Department.JPG|left|thumb|210x210px|Palace of the Royal Intendancy in [[Old San Juan]], seat of the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico|Legislative Assembly]] in 1900-1929]]
Originally symbolizing self-governance in Puerto Rico as a territory of the [[United States|U.S.]] under an [[Insular Government of Porto Rico|insular government]] of elected [[House of Representatives of Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican delegates]] and appointed American officials established by the [[Foraker Act|Foraker Act of 1900]], the construction of the Capitol was first introduced by [[autonomy]] supporter and [[Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico|Resident Commissioner]] [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]] in 1907.<ref name="nps-20062">{{cite web |title=El Capitolio de Puerto Rico |url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr5.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022231731/http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr5.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |accessdate=May 4, 2006 |work=Historic Places in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands |publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref> Prior to the Capitol, the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico|Legislative Assembly]] convened in the current [[Seat of government|seat]] of the [[Puerto Rico Department of State|Department of State]], the ''Palacio de la Real Intendencia'' (Palace of the Royal Intendancy) in the [[Old San Juan]] historic quarter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Historia del Capitolio |url=http://www.senadopr.us/visitantes/Pages/HistoriadelCapitolio.aspx |accessdate=November 3, 2012 |work=SenadoPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-14 |title=El Capitolio de Puerto Rico |url=https://www.prhbds.org/san-juan/2014/4/14/el-capitolio-de-puerto-rico?rq=Capitol |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Puerto Rico Historic Buildings Drawings Society |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Design selection ===
In 1907, the amount of $250,000 was allocated for the construction of the building and another $50,000 for the establishment of an international competition for a final design, which was to be divided into three principal spaces to house the Legislative Assembly, composed of the Executive Council, a precursor to the [[Senate of Puerto Rico|Senate]] comprised of 11 members appointed by the [[President of the United States|President of the U.S.]], and the House of Delegates, a precursor to the [[House of Representatives of Puerto Rico|House of Representatives]] comprised of 35 members elected by the Puerto Rican people, and the [[Supreme Court of Puerto Rico|Supreme Court]], a judicial body comprised of a [[chief justice]] and four [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|associate justices]] appointed by the President.<ref name=":02" />

By 1908, a total of 139 architectural designs were  submitted in [[anonymity]] mostly from the U.S., but also from Puerto Rico, [[Cuba]], [[Canada]], and [[France]]. The evaluation of the proposals was headed by [[William F. Willoughby]], President of the Executive Council, [[José de Diego]], Speaker of the House and represented by [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]], [[José Severo Quiñones|José S. Quiñones]], Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Laurence Grahame, Secretary of the Interior. Three American architects also joined the commission: E.B. Homerde, John E. Howe, and Bowen Bancroft Smith. Three projects were selected, belonging to Frank E. Perkins from [[New York City]], James H. Ritchie and Lewis B. Abbot from [[Boston]], and Henry L. Beadle from New York City.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Historia del Capitolio de Puerto Rico |url=https://www.puertadetierra.info/edificios/capitolio/capitolio.htm |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.puertadetierra.info}}</ref>

==== Neoclassical design by Perkins and Beaux-Arts design by Del Valle Zeno ====
[[File:Capitol-pr-perkins-1908.jpg|left|thumb|215x215px|Main façade (south) of Perkins’ [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] design, 1908]]
The evaluating commission decided on the design summited by Perkins, which presented an austere [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] style defined by simplicity, symmetry, and proportion. Comparable to [[List of state and territorial capitols in the United States|state capitols]] in the U.S., the proposal featured a lowered [[dome]] similar to that of the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Roman]] [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in [[Rome]] and a [[Doric order|Doric]] [[portico]] similar to that of the [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greek]] [[Parthenon]] in [[Athens]]. The design, which south-oriented main façade on [[Avenida Juan Ponce de León|Juan Ponce de León Avenue]] also included an [[Attic (architecture)|attic story]], had a U-shaped layout centered around a large patio flanked on either side by [[Wing (building)#History|wings]] with a double story [[colonnade]] of free standing [[Column|columns]] that had an open view of the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]].
[[File:Capitol-pr-valle-zeno-1907.png|thumb|270x270px|Main façade (south) of Del Valle Zeno’s [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] design, 1908]]
However, [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]] preferred a project that had been disqualified for not following the established rules of the contest by including the  slogan "[[wiktionary:lex#Latin|LEX]]" (meaning [[Law]] in [[Latin]]) in his submission. Created by Puerto Rican architect Rafael del Valle Zeno, who built the [[Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico]], the proposal presented an elaborate [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] design defined by symmetry, grandiosity, and ornamentation. Similar to the [[CEC Palace]] in [[Bucharest]] and [[Petit Palais]] in [[Paris]], the proposal featured a tall portico supported by four [[Column|columns]] and topped with a [[mansard roof]], short [[Wing (building)|wings]] layered with [[Pilaster|pilasters]] framing rows of [[Pediment|pedimented]] windows, and grand [[Pavilion#Classical architecture|pavilions]] with mansard roofs and ornate decoration.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":3" /> The main façade of the design was oriented to the south, facing Juan Ponce de León Avenue and [[San Juan Bay]].

In 1909, the construction rights for the design of Perkins were auctioned, with the lowest bid amounting to $314,429. Exceeding the budget available, its construction was postponed. In 1919, the Legislative Assembly appropriated the sum of $500,000 for the Capitol and directed the Secretary of the Interior, Guillermo Esteves, to proceed with the bidding for the work. Considered to be a structurally and spatially inadequate building that would exceed the budget cap, the design of Perkins was replaced in 1920.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":1" />

==== Renaissance design by Finlayson ====
[[File:Capitol-pr-finlayson-1922.png|thumb|225x225px|Main façade (south) of Finlayson’s [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] design, 1922]]
Francisco Roldán and Pedro de Castro, two Puerto Rican architects working in the Division of Public Buildings in the Department of Interior under the supervision of State Architect Adrian C. Finlayson, created an expansive [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] design defined by symmetry, proportion, and harmony. Similar to the [[Palazzo Farnese]] in [[Rome]] and the [[Biblioteca Marciana]] in [[Venice]], the proposal featured an [[Portico#Octastyle|octastyle]] [[portico]] under an elaborate [[Arcade (architecture)|arcade]] flanked on either side by long [[Wing (building)|wings]] containing rows of windows and topped with a [[Baluster|balustrade]]. Facing Juan Ponce de León Avenue and San Juan Bay, the wings continued to recessed pavilions which extended towards the north, creating a U-shaped layout centered around a large patio overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean.

In 1921, the design of Finlayson began to be constructed on a [[Land lot|vacant plot]] of land located immediately outside the [[Walls of Old San Juan|walls]] of the historic quarter of [[Old San Juan]], overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay from an elevated point in [[San Juan Islet]]. However, its construction was halted after completion of the first level due to political instability in the [[Geography of Puerto Rico|main island]]. During this time, Finlyson, Roldán, and de Castro resigned from the project.<ref name=":02" />

==== Neoclassical Beaux-Arts design by Carmoega ====
[[File:Capitol-pr-carmoega-1924.jpg|thumb|245x245px|Main façade (north) of Carmoega’s Neoclassical Beaux-Arts design, 1924]]
In 1925, the work was resumed under a new State Architect, Puerto Rican [[Rafael Carmoega]] who, alongside other architects, created the current design. Defined by clear symmetry, simple geometry, and minimal ornamentation like most [[List of state and territorial capitols in the United States|state capitols]] and [[:Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Washington, D.C.|government buildings]] in the U.S., especially in the capital of [[Washington, D.C.|Washington D.C.]], the austere [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] design is reflective of the most used style for civic architecture in the U.S. at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Beaux-Arts Architecture Movement Overview |url=https://www.theartstory.org/movement/beaux-arts-architecture/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=The Art Story}}</ref> 

Carmoega retained the lowered [[dome]] and [[Attic (architecture)|attic story]] proposed by Perkins and the [[Portico#Octastyle|octastyle]] [[portico]] with no [[pediment]] and rows of windows endorsed by Fynlayson, largely basing the building on the [[Low Memorial Library]] in [[New York City|New York]].<ref>[http://www.enciclopediapr.org/esp/article.cfm?ref=09121803 La Construcción del Capitolio de Puerto Rico] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708084019/http://enciclopediapr.org/esp/article.cfm?ref=09121803|date=2012-07-08}} on Enciclopedia de Puerto Rico</ref> Carmoega changed the direction of the main façade to the north to overlook the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]], adding a [[colonnade]] of freestanding columns to the recessed [[Wing (building)|wings]] and finishing the projected [[Pavilion#Classical architecture|pavilions]] only to the first floor as [[Deck (building)|decks]] adorned with [[Baluster|balusters]] and [[Vase|vases]].

Despite the interior not being completely finished, the Capitol was officially inaugurated on February 11, 1929, with the first meeting of the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico|Legislative Assembly]] taking place three days later.

== Architecture ==
[[File:Capitol_of_Puerto_Rico_by_NRHP.png|thumb|225x225px|Main façade (north) and side profile (west) of the constructed Capitol, 1977]]
Covering an area of about {{convert|50,000|sqft|acre||lk=on|abbr=out}} with a rough length of {{convert|400|ft|m||lk=on|abbr=out}}, width of {{convert|125|ft|m||lk=on|abbr=out}}, and height of {{convert|145|ft|m||lk=on|abbr=out}}, the Capitol of Puerto Rico is an austere [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] style building principally designed and built by Puerto Rican architect [[Rafael Carmoega]] from 1921 to 1929. It is largely based on the [[Low Memorial Library]] in [[New York City]]. Featuring clear symmetry, simple geometry, and minimal ornamentation like most [[List of state and territorial capitols in the United States|state capitols]] and [[:Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Washington, D.C.|federal buildings]] in the U.S., the austere [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] design is reflective of the widely used style for civic architecture in the U.S. at the time.<ref name=":0" />

The layout of the building is rectangular with a  [[Corps de logis|principal block]] in the center consisting of a [[portico]] and [[dome]], which are flanked by a [[Wing (building)#History|wing]] and a [[Pavilion#Classical architecture|pavilion]] on either side. Made of concrete and steel with an exterior entirely covered in [[Creole marble|white marble]] from the U.S. state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], it has four stories, the first being a [[Basement|ground floor]] and the last an [[Attic (architecture)|attic story]]. Each story is demarcated by a row of windows, with the windows in the first floor being the only ones containing [[Pediment|pediments]]. 

=== Exterior ===
Situated above the northern cliffs of [[San Juan Islet]], the main façade of the Capitol is oriented to the north facing [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]] Avenue and the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]], while the rear façade is oriented to the south facing [[Avenida Juan Ponce de León|Juan Ponce de León Avenue]] and [[San Juan Bay]].

==== Porticos ====
On both façades, the main entrances are located in the central, principal block of the building as projected [[Portico|porticos]] consisting of a [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]]-style [[colonnade]] of eight [[Column|columns]] standing on a [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] ground floor and supporting an [[entablature]] and attic. Both porticos are accessible by a wide marble staircase containing one flight in the north, and two flights in the south. Both staircases lead to seven arched doorways, with the five in the middle serving as functioning doors and the other two as a [[Blind arch|blind doors]]. The doors represent the original seven [[Puerto Rico senatorial districts|electoral districts]] of Puerto Rico.

==== Inscriptions ====
The attic story above the colonnade of both porticos is [[Epigraphy|inscribed]] with text, which is centered in-between an [[engraving]] of the [[Armorial of the United States|coat of arms of the U.S.]] and [[Coat of arms of Puerto Rico|Puerto Rico]].

The main façade (north) on Luis Muñoz Rivera Avenue is inscribed with the following quotation in [[Spanish language|Spanish]] by the 3rd [[Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico|Resident Commissioner]] of Puerto Rico, [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
|"El derecho, la libertad y la dignidad por encima de todo" 
|}
[[Transliteration|Transliterated]] in [[English language|English]], it reads as "Law, freedom, and dignity above all."

The rear façade (south) on Juan Ponce de León Avenue is inscribed with the following [[Gettysburg Address]] quote in English by the 16th [[President of the United States|president]] of the [[United States|U.S.]], [[Abraham Lincoln]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
|"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth"
|}

==== Dome ====
Above the top of the attic story in the porticos, a large [[Octagon|octagonal]] [[tholobate|tholobate or drum]] supports a lowered [[dome]], which is modeled after the dome of the [[Ancient Rome|ancient Roman]] [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] in [[Rome]]. Each of the four main walls of the drum has large, [[Diocletian window|half-round windows]] evocative of the [[Lunette|lunettes]] atop the [[Baths of Caracalla]] and [[Baths of Diocletian|Diocletian]]. The dome is topped by a small [[cupola]] serving as a [[roof lantern]]. 

==== Wings ====
The central, principal block of the building, which contains the porticos and dome, is flanked on either side by a wing. Consisting of a [[Doric order|Doric]]-style [[colonnade]] of eight [[Column|columns]] standing on a rusticated ground floor, the wings on the main façade (north) are recessed in relation to the portico and [[Pavilion#Classical architecture|pavilions]]. In contrast, the wings in the rear façade (south) only contain rows of windows and are recessed only in relation to the portico. Using the design of the main facade in the north, the wings in the eastern and western sides contain a [[Doric order|Doric]]-style colonnade, but instead of freestanding columns, it has [[Pilaster|pilasters]]. 

==== Pavilions ====
Next to the wings, the pavilions are located on the extreme ends of the building. Adorned with [[Baluster|balusters]] and [[Vase|vases]], the [[Pavilion#Classical architecture|pavilions]] are finished to the first floor as [[Deck (building)|decks]] with open views of the building and surrouding area. The pavilions are protected like the portico on the main façade (north). In contrast, they are recessed in relation to the portico and the wings on the rear façade (south). Part of the ground floor, the pavilions serve as secondary side entrances to the building.  

===Architectural drawings===
The Architecture and Construction Archives at the [[University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus|University of Puerto Rico]] (AACUPR) is the custodian of the Capitol of Puerto Rico Collection (1924-1926). Approximately eight cubic feet in size, the collection contains architectural drawings, photographs and textual documents. The original drawings, executed in ink over drawing cloth, were produced by the Department of the Interior under the supervision of Puerto Rican State Architect [[Rafael Carmoega]]. The 28 originals and 38 blue prints show plans, elevations, sections as well as electrical and plumbing distribution. There is also a proposal for the surrounding gardens by the architectural firm of Bennet, Parsons and Frost and several plates showing entries for the building competition. The collection was transferred to the AACUPR by the Capitol Superintendency in 1986.

==Building complex==
[[File:El Capitolio de Puerto Rico desde el avión.jpg|thumb|225x225px|Aerial view of some of the buildings of the Capitol building complex from the Atlantic Ocean, 2009]]
The immediate area surrounding the Capitol is known as the ''Distrito Capitalino'' (Capitol District), which is a disconnected [[#Capitol building complex|building complex]] composed of early- to mid-20th century structures of varying [[Architectural style|architectural styles]] surrounding the Capitol. The district also contains two public squares facing the north façade of the Capitol and a landscaped park facing the south façade, all serving as a centers of [[patriotism]] and [[Civic virtue|civic virtues]].

=== Annex buildings ===
The Capitol has two annex buildings functioning as office space for legislators, discreetly located within the immediate east and west grounds of the Capitol, which were originally reserved for gardens. The [[Rafael Martínez Nadal]] Building serves as the Senate Annex on the eastern [[Senate of Puerto Rico|Senate]] side of the Capitol with offices for senators and two hearing rooms, and the [[Ernesto Ramos Antonini]] Building serves as the House Annex on the western [[House of Representatives of Puerto Rico|House]] side of the Capitol with offices for representatives as well as hearing rooms.

These identical buildings were constructed in a [[Tropical Modernism|Tropical]] [[Modern architecture|Modern]], [[International Style|International]] style by the [[Toro Ferrer]] firm in 1955. Each two-story building has a low-lying rectangular plan with a flat roof, and their exterior features strip windows with aluminum sunshades, glass panes, and marble facing. All spaces are laid along an interior courtyard with landscaped areas, reflecting pools, and two entrance lobbies at each end.<ref name=":02" />

=== Other buildings ===
Several buildings bordering the immediate grounds of the Capitol are also part of its complex. Located next to the Senate Annex on the eastern side of the Captiol, the [[Mediterranean Revival architecture|Mediterranean Revival]] [[Antonio R. Barceló]] Building, seat of the former [[School of Tropical Medicine (Puerto Rico)|School of Tropical Medicine]], houses the Legislative Library, as well as offices for the House and Senate, [[Office of Legislative Services of Puerto Rico|Legislative Services]], Superintendent of the Capitol, and [[Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico]].

Located to the direct south of the Capitol, the [[Art Deco]] [[Luis A. Ferré]] Building contains offices for both chambers, as well as a 700 space parking garage. Located to the southeast of the Capitol, the [[Art Deco]] [[Baltasar Corrada del Río|Baltazar Corrada del Río]] Building houses legislative and admistrative offices of the Senate, while the [[Art Deco]] building of the ''Antiguo Cuartel de la Policia Insular'' (Old Headquarters of the [[Insular Government of Porto Rico|Insular]] Police), the former home of the [[State Commission of Elections of Puerto Rico|State Commission of Elections]], accommodates House archives, as well as administrative offices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-19 |title=Senado inaugura edificio Baltasar Corrada del Río en Puerta de Tierra, San Juan |url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/notas/senado-inaugura-edificio-baltasar-corrada-del-rio-en-puerta-de-tierra-san-juan/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Primera Hora |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cuartel General de la Policía Insular de Puerto Rico- 1937 |url=https://www.puertadetierra.info/edificios/cuartel/cuartel.htm |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.puertadetierra.info}}</ref> Located to the southwest of the Capitol, the [[International Style]] [[Ramón Mellado Parsons]] Building is reserved for Senate offices.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2019 |title=Puerta de Tierra Historic District |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/a4b12c21-61d2-46a4-b60f-42fa22197f7f |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places}}</ref>

=== Public squares ===
The Capitol building complex has two large, open [[Town square|squares]] serving as centers of [[patriotism]] and [[Civic virtue|civic virtues]], located between the main (north) façade of the Capitol of Puerto Rico and the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]]. Known as the ''Plaza de la Democracia'' (Democracy Square), the first is situated between the northern main entrance of the Capitol and [[Luis Muñoz Rivera]] Avenue. The space, which has a square plan and [[marble]] flooring, contains a flagpole for a [[flag of the United States]] on its eastern side and another for a [[flag of Puerto Rico]] on its western side. It is also flanked on either side by a green [[lawn]] with high, narrow [[Arecaceae|palm trees]].
[[File:Plaza_San_Juan_Bautista,_San_Juan,_Puerto_Rico.jpg|left|thumb|215x215px|''Plaza San Juan Bautista'' facing the north façade of the Capitol overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean]]
Following the direction of the first, the second square is situated between Luis Muñoz Rivera Avenue and the North Atlantic Ocean next to the grounds of the [[Castillo San Cristóbal (San Juan)|San Cristóbal Fortress]] in the historic quarter of [[Old San Juan]]. Perched over the northern cliffs of [[San Juan Islet]] with a [[Semicircle|semicircular]] plan and marble finishes throughout, the square is known as the ''Plaza San Juan Bautista'' (San Juan Bautista Square) after [[John the Baptist]], the patron saint of [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], the capital [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|municipality]] of Puerto Rico, which was first named ''San Juan Bautista'' ("Saint John Baptist") or San Juan ("Saint John") by [[Christopher Columbus]], when the European explorer discovered the [[Geography of Puerto Rico|main island]] during his [[Voyages of Christopher Columbus|second voyage]] in 1493. In the center of the square, lies a large, abstract [[bronze]] sculpture of John the Baptist surrounded by a low-lying, semicircular [[pedestal]] containing the [[Coat of arms|coats of arms]] of the [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico#Municipalities|78 municipalities]] comprising Puerto Rico.

=== Landscaped park ===
In the center of the Capitol building complex lies an elongated, [[Landscape architecture|landscaped park]] facing the rear (south) façade of the Capitol in-between [[Avenida Juan Ponce de León|Juan Ponce de León Avenue]] in the north and ''Paseo Covadonga'' (Covadonga Promenade) in the south from ''Calle Esteves'' (Esteves Road) in the east to ''Calle Gral. Contreras'' (Gral. Contreras Road) in the west. Containing various memorials, sculptures, statues, and plaques to individuals and events significant to [[History of Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican history]], the park serves as a commemorative center of [[patriotism]] and [[Civic virtue|civic virtues]].<ref name=":02" />
[[File:Puerta_de_Tierra,_San_Juan,_Puerto_Rico_-_panoramio_(15).jpg|left|thumb|210x210px|Rear (south façade) view of the Capitol from the [[obelisk]] monument honoring the [[Puerto Rico Police]], 2015]]
From east to west, the most prominent monuments are named as follows: [[Rafael Hernández Marín]] Monument, [[Santiago Iglesias|Santiago Iglesias Pantín]] Monument, Altar to the [[Puerto Rico|Nation]], Carlos Luis Cáceres Collazo Monument, Walkway of the [[List of presidents of the United States|Presidents]] (who have visited Puerto Rico), Recipients of [[Medal of Honor]] Monument, [[World War I]] Monument, [[El Monumento de la Recordación|Memorial Monument]], [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] Memorial, Teachers Monument, Lions' Plaza, [[Puerto Rico Police|Police]] Monument, Puerto Rican Woman Monument, and [[Ramón Mellado Parsons]] Monument.<ref name=":2" />

The park is connected to the [[Port of San Juan|San Juan Cruise Port]] on [[San Juan Bay]] from the Memorial Monument through ''Calle Gral. Pershing'' (Gral. Pershing Road), which are directly situated south of the rear entrance to the Capitol. Containing a landscaped [[median strip]] with trees and benches dedicated to veterans as the ''Paseo de los Veteranos'' (Walk of the Veterans), Gral. Pershing Road functions as an extension of the park.

==Gallery==
{{Gallery|File:San Juan 2014 01 18 0234 (12329284484).jpg|[[Dome]], [[cupola]], and [[roof lantern]] of the Capitol|Image:Capitol of Puerto Rico outside columns.JPG|Details of exterior columns and architecture of the Capitol|File:Capitolio de Puerto Rico ala este.jpg|Details of exterior columns and architecture of the Capitol|Image:Constitucion PR.JPG|The [[Constitution of Puerto Rico]] exhibited on the first floor|Image:Capitol of Puerto Rico second floor landing.JPG|Second floor landing of the Capitol|File:Galeria del Capitolio de Puerto Rico.jpg|Gallery of the Capitol|File:Conexión de columna y cúpula.jpg|Interior of the dome in the Captitol|File:Collectie Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen TM-20016544 Het Capitool in San Juan Puerto Rico Boy Lawson (Fotograaf).jpg|The Capitol in 1964|File:Collectie Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen TM-20016545 Het Capitool in San Juan Puerto Rico Boy Lawson (Fotograaf).jpg|The Capitol in 1964|File: San Juan - Capitolio.jpg|The Capitol in 1944}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico
}}

* [[List of Legislative Assemblies of Puerto Rico]]
* [[List of state and territorial capitols in the United States]]

==References==<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for--> <!--an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the--> <!--<ref(erences/)> tags-->
<references responsive="1"></references>

==External links==

* {{NRHP url|id=77001555|title=National Park Service Images|photos=y}}
{{US State Capitols}}{{NRHP in San Juan, Puerto Rico}}{{Puerto Rico topics}}{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}} 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Capitol Of Puerto Rico}}
[[Category:Old San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Legislative buildings|Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1929]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in San Juan, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Government buildings with domes|Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in Puerto Rico]]