Founded by the Spaniards in 1750 in honor of the saint of the same name, the town of San Juan Bautista can be reached in approximately three hours. By means of routes of medium and low difficulty it is possible to know the most important points of the Cumberland Bay.
Pier
This is the mandatory entrance and exit point fot visitors and residents of Robinson Crusoe. This is where the fishermen’s departure and return activities are concentrated, and it is also a prized fishing spot where both local fishermen and visitors gather in the morning.
Plaza de Armas / Square of Arms
Carefully cared for by the inhabitants of the island, the Plaza de Armas of the town of San Juan Bautista, is the center of meetings a meeting point of the community.
Valley of Lord Anson or of The Settlers
Located in front of Cumebrland Bay, it is the most picturesque and largest valley on the island. It leads to the foot of El Yunque hill and bears this name because Admiral George Anson chose the place to set up his camp after a dramatic voyage between England and these islands.
Promenade
Along the waterfront in the northern part of the town you can take a tour that goes from the pier to the children’s playground, the exercise machines built on the seashore, the remains of the cemetery and the lighthouse. From this point, if the sky is clear, you can see the top of El Yunque hill and spend a pleasant moment listening to the wind entering Cumberland Bay.
The “Dresden Bullets”
Continuing along the waterfront you reach the signalind lighthouse and in the rocks of the cliff are embedded some shells of the English cannons. During the First World War, Cumberland Bay was the scene of one of the naval battles in the Pacific between the German cruiser “Dresden” and the English ships “Glasgow”, “Kent” and “Orama”. Finally the German ship ended its days sunk in this bay. The remains of this declared Historical Monument since 1985.
Cementery
Located in the north end of the town, in this small and picturesque cemetery you can appreciate part of the history of the islanders’ ancestors since interesting tombs of some sailors of the Dresden and the colonizer Alfred Von Rodt are located here.
Santa Barbara Fort
The Spanish Crown decided to colonize Robinson Crusoe in order to prevent corsairs and pirates from getting supplies in Robinson Crusoe. Erected in 1749, Fort Santa Barbara was the main building of the island’s defense system with a total of 48 cannons. Declared a Natural Historic Monument in 1979, the fort was restored through a process of enhacement that included the mounting of the cannons on wooden gun carriages, replicas of what were probably the originals.
Cave of the Patriots
On one side of Fort Santa Barbara are located the remains of two rows of caves that were dug during the 18th century. According to tradition, they are named in memory of the 42 patriots banished to the island after the disaster of Rancagua in October 1814 during the struggles for independence. The exiles were taken to caves located in the rocks surrounding Cumberland Bay, where today the traces of the long rods that supported their bunks can be seen on the damp walls
