| Peñón de Ponce | |
| Elevation Ft: | 335 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 335 |
| Prominence Ref: | [2] |
| Location: | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Map: | USA Puerto Rico |
| Coordinates Ref: | [3] |
| Easiest Route: | PR-2, km 220.1, Sector Las Cucharas, Barrio Canas, Ponce, Puerto Rico |
Peñón de Ponce is a boulder[4] in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico, located in the western coastal section of the municipality, in Sector Punta Cucharas, Barrio Canas, immediately north of Puerto Rico Highway 2 (PR-2), kilometer 220.1. The Peñón de Ponce promontory separates the Port of Tallaboa from the plains that give access to the municipality of Ponce.[5]
The hill has been on record at least since 1788 when Íñigo Abbad used it to describe the distance (2 leguas, or 2 hours walking distance) to the village of Ponce relative to this landmark feature.[6]
The hill is located at coordinates 17° 58' 47.5", -66° 41' 54.5", in an area known to Ponce Cement for its limestone value.[7] There is a correctional center and a Holiday Inn Hotel on neighboring hills.
In 1855, poet Federico Matos, father of Felix Matos Bernier and Rafael Matos Bernier, composed the following short poem in Spanish about this hill.[8] The poem, titled "En el Peñón de Ponce", appeared on the 22 May 1858 issue of El Fénix newspaper in Ponce, and was dedicated to Matos's friend Martin Travieso.[9]
En el Peñón de Ponce
| valign=top | "Meditación, El fastidio y el dolor. Al bello sexo, Las Crinolinas. A Cartagena, El Peñón de Ponce." | valign=top | "Reflection, Nuisance and pain. To the beautiful sex, The Crinolines. To Cartagena, The Peñón de Ponce." |