History

Founding

Patillas was founded in 1811.

Flag

Four green rectangles in the corners symbolizing the valleys and mountains.

Coat of Arms

The crow with a piece of bread in its beak, bird that saves the life to San Benito Abad, patron of the town, from being poisoned with a piece of bread. The castle with three windows symbolizes the captivity of Santa Barbara, matron of Patillas in the first years of the foundation and the devotion to the Santísima Trinidad. The cross represents Santo Cristo de la Salud. The two crossed machetes underneath the cross represent the peasants struggle in the sugar cane plantations and the origins of economic development. The three towers in the superior part mean that Patillas is categorized as a town. The watermelon leaf, fruit that abounded in the west of Patillas, is the reason for the name of the town. The motto "Ora Et Labora", means Pray and Work; motto of the religious order of San Benito Abad.

Barrios (Districts/Wards)

• Apeadero
• Bajo
• Cacao Alto
• Cacao Bajo
• Egozcue
• Guardarraya
• Jacaboa
• Jagual
• Mamey
• Marín
• Mulas
• Muñoz Rivera
• Pollos
• Quebrada Arriba
• Ríos
  

Geo/Topography

Gorges are: Barros, Colones, Farallón, Guano, Hicacos, Hormiga , Mulas, Quebrada Arriba and Sonadora.
Rivers are: Chico, Grande de Patillas, Jacaboa and Marín.

Tourism

Tourist sector is currently in development.

Landmarks and Places of Interest

• Charco Azul (water pool)
• Charco Los Tres Chorros (water pool)
• Carite-Guavate Forest
• Escondida Beach
• Guardarraya Beach
  

Festivals and Events

• Patron Celebrations - March
• Emerald of the South Carnival - April
• Monte y Mar Festival - July
• Flour Festival - December
• Ñame Festival - December

Sports

Emilio "Millito" Navarro (born September 26, 1905 in the city of Patillas, Puerto Rico was the first Puerto Rican to play baseball in the Negro Leagues.


Notable Patillenses

• Edmundo Disdier - Musical and composer
• Ramón Lebrón - First secretary of the court
• Sigfredo Badillo Rivero - Poet

Patillas, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 9). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:01, October 19, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patillas%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=80414733