Lares, Puerto Rico

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, making Lares the site of 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

The origins of the municipality's flag can be traced back to the days of the failed attempt to rebel against Spanish rule in 1868 know as the Grito de Lares. The flag was knitted by Mariana Bracetti, a revolutionary leader, at the behest of Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, the revolt's leader, who designed it. 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.

Geography

Downtown Lares: July 2007

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

Bartolo
Buenos Aires
Callejones
Espino
Lares
La Torre

Mirasol
Pezuela
Piletas
Río Prieto
Barrio Pueblo

Culture

Anthem

Original Lares Revolutionary Flag

By Luis Lloréns Torres

En las verdes montañas de Lares,
y en lucha con la adversidad,
nuestros padres lanzaron el grito,
aquel primer grito de la libertad.

Nuestros padres soñaron un día
una patria feliz conquistar,
y murieron sin ver realizado
el ideal soñado de patria y libertad.

Brazo de oro que fue en Puerto Rico
la más noble y valiente mujer,
Brazo de oro bordó la bandera
que los puertorriqueños
sabremos defender.

La blanca cruz en ella significa
ansia de patria y redención,
el rojo, la sangre vertida
por los héroes de la rebelión.
Y la estrella en la azul soledad,
libertad, libertad, libertad.

Festivals and events

Catedral de Lares (Lares Cathedral): July 2007

Fiesta de Reyes - January
Romantic Party - February
Almojabana Festival - March
Fundation of Lares - April
Handcrafted market - May
Banana (Guineo) Festival - June
Cultural World Contest - August
Grito de Lares - September
Bonsais Concentration - October
Fiestas Patronales - December

Landmarks and places of interest

Castañer Settlement
Collazo Hacienda
El Jíbaro Park
El Porvenir Hacienda
Heladería de Lares (ice cream parlor)
La Lealtad Hacienda

Sports

Lares have a professional volleyball team called the Lares Patriotas (Lares Patriots) that have international players including: Gregory Berrios, Ramon "Monchito" Hernandez, and Ariel Rodriguez. The Patriotas won 3 championships, in 1981, 1983 and 2002. In 1981 and 1983 they beat Corozal in the finals and in 2002 they beat Naranjito. Some of the Native playes were: David Vera 1979, Rigoberto Guiyoti 1979, Modesto 1980, Luis Vera 1980, Carlos Vera 1980,

Economia

Agricultura

Bananas, cafe, chinas y tomates.

Turismo

Heladeria de Lares ha sido reconocida por sus unicos helados. Sabores como maiz, y arroz y habichuelas siempre son ofrecidos.

Demographics

Government

Lares is now ruled by the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP)

Casa Alcaldia de Lares (Lares City Hall): July 2007

Policia Municipal de Lares (Lares Municipal Police): July 2007

Education

Transportation

Puerto Rico State Route 111 runs through the town.

Notable "Lareños"

Denise Quiñones - Miss Universe 2001
Francisco Matos Paoli - political activist
Jose Feliciano - major Latino singer and guitar player
Odilio González - "El Jibarito de Lares", Singer
Marilia Levy- Miss Puerto Rico 1952 (1st Miss Puerto Rico in history)
María del Rocío Arroyo- Miss Puerto Rico 1996
Lydia Guzmán- Miss Puerto Rico 1997
Brenda Liz López - Miss Puerto Rico Universe 1999 (Miss Photogenic and 8th place in Miss Universe 1999).
Jonathan Montalvo- 1st place in the Indiana's Business Professionals of America 2006 competition and chosen as a City of Hammond, IN Heroe in 2007.

External links

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