Etched into the brick walkway of Plaza Santo Domingo are the words, “1570 – 1573 San Germán En Las Lomas Santa Maria.” The 1570 refers to May 12 of that year when the city was ordered by the Spanish to abandon their coastal location and merge with another town named Santa Maria de Guadianilla. The reference to 1573 is when it was reestablished at its present location on the Santa Maria Hills near the Guadianilla River. San Germán’s nickname of La Ciudad de las Lomas (City of Hills) is well deserved. Wear comfortable hiking shoes when exploring this delightful city.
