Parque de Bombas
A red-and-black striped wooden fire station left over from an 1882 exposition, the most photogenic landmark in Ponce.
The old fire station was originally the pavilion for the 1882 Ponce agricultural and industrial exposition. From the following year it served as a fire station until 1989, and it now houses the Puerto Rico Firefighting History Museum. The striking red and black vertical stripes come from Ponce's city colors. The wooden building blends Gothic and Moorish styles and stands out on the square, and almost every visitor photographs it. Inside are old fire engines, uniforms, and the story of the great fire of 1899. Admission is free. It is usually open Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00, and a visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A municipal tourist information desk is often set up at the entrance, where you can pick up a walking map.
Opening hours
Wed–Sun 09:00–17:00 (confirm on site)
Nearby sights
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Plaza Las Delicias
- Casa Armstrong-Poventud
- Teatro La Perla
- Museo de la Historia de Ponce
- Casa Wiechers-Villaronga
- Museo de la Masacre de Ponce
- Plaza del Mercado Isabel II