MIRADOR "PIEDRA DEGETAU"
(Degetau Stone Observation Tower)
La "Piedra Degetau" (Degetau's Stone) was named
after Federico Degetau, the first Resident Commisioner to represent Puerto
Rico before the United States Congress from 1900 to 1904. Degetau was born
in the city of Ponce in 1862. He was a poet and tradition says that the
view from the top of this rock in the town of Aibonito served as inspiration
for much of his literary work.
The Degetau Observation Tower was inaugurated in October,
1996. It is managed by the Department of Public Works and by the Authority
of Highways and Transportation. In addition to seeing the rock, visitors
can climb the obervation tower and use the several telescopes available
to get a view of the scenery of Aibonito and sight of more distant locations
such as the town of Barranquitas, the town of Cayey, El Morro Castle in
San Juan, "Caja de Muerto Island" and "La Guancha"
sector of Ponce, and the "Cerro Maravillas" communication towers
in the town of Villalba.
The Degetau Observation Tower has a playground for children,
several "bohios" with tables for picnics, ample parking, vending
machines and excellent restrooms. The picnic area "bohios" can
be reserved for groups (applications are required three weeks before the
activity). Days of operation are from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM
to 6:00 PM. The information on the Observatory was provided by Gloribel
Gonzalez and Jose Antonio Nunez who are there every day to help tourists
and watch over the facility. Further information and reservation blanks
can be obtained by calling the Observatory at (787) 735-3880.
Instructions on how to get there:
To get there use the #52 highway and take the
#1 at Cayey. Head towards Salinas and turn into the Panoramic Route to
Aibonito (7722), make a left on road 722 and keep on going straight at
the "Welcome to Aibonito" sign on the intersection with 162.
This will lead you directly into road 7718 which will lead you to the observatory
about a 1/4 mile down the road.
Click Here to See a Map to "El Mirador":Mirador
Map