What today appears as a shopping arcade was designed as bombproof vaults when they were built near the Caribbean shoreline in 1798. They were originally used by the Spanish to house ammunition. Later, the 49 foot walls were converted into 23 prison cells. Now you will find boutique stores selling local crafts and souvenirs behind the 47, brightly colored arches of Las Bóvedas in the San Diego area of Old Town.
