Lares (LAH-res) is a small mountain municipality of Puerto Rico's central-western area located north of Maricao and Yauco; south of Camuy, east of San Sebastián and Las Marias; and west of Hatillo, Utuado and Adjuntas. Lares is spread over 10 wards and Lares Pueblo (Downtown Lares).
A city adorned with Spanish-era style churches and small downtown area stores, Lares is a breezy area that is about 1.5 hours from San Juan by car.
Lares has one major claim to fame: The 1868 uprising that happened there, brought on by pro-independence rebels who wanted Puerto Rico to gain its freedom from Spain. The movement, known thereafter as El Grito de Lares (literally, The Cry of Lares, or Lares Revolt), was soon extinguished, becoming Lares the shortest lived republic ever.
History
Lares was founded in April 26, 1827 by Francisco de Sotomayor and Pedro Vélez Borrero. The city was named after one of its settlers, Don Amador de Lariz.
Flag
This flag is formed by a white Latin cross in the center. The width of the arms and base are equal to a third part of the latitude of the emblem. It has two quadrilaterals located above and two below the arms the cross. The superior (top) ones are blue and inferior (bottom) ones red. A five point white star is located in the center of the left superior (top) quadrilateral.
Coat of Arms
a white cross is centered on and extends across the shield from side to side and top to bottom; it has blue top quadrants and red bottom quadrants; it has a five pointed white star in the upper left quadrant. A chain that surrounds the shield. The Coat of Arms as described has positioned around it on a scroll and a ribbon in a semicircle the words: "Lares Ciudad del Grito." This constitutes the stamp of Lares and identifies unmistakably the municipality of Lares.
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)
- Bartolo
- Buenos Aires
- Callejones
- Espino
- Lares
- La Torre
- Mirasol
- Pezuela
- Piletas
- Río Prieto
Economic
Agriculture
Bananas, coffee, oranges and hydroponic grown tomatoes.
Tourism
Landmarks and places of interest
- Castañer Settlement
- Collazo Hacienda
- El Jíbaro Park
- El Porvenir Hacienda
- Heladería Lares (ice cream parlor)
- La Lealtad Hacienda
Festivals and events
- Patron Celebrations- March
- Lares Festival - September
- Hacienda Rabáno Festival - October
- Almojábana Festival - October
- Banana Festival - June
Notable "Lareños"
- Denise Quiñones - Miss Universe 2001
- Francisco Matos Paoli
- Jose Feliciano - major Latino singer and guitar player
- Luis Hernández Aquino
Lares, Puerto Rico. (2006, September 29). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:19, October 27, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lares%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=78431672
