Jayuya (Spanish pronunciation: [xaˈʝuʝa]) is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the mountainous center region of the island, north of Ponce; east of Utuado; and west of Ciales.
Among its monuments are the statue of Nemesio Canales and the bust of Hayuya, both by the Puerto Rican sculptor Tomás Batista.
In 1950, the town was the setting of the Jayuya Uprising, in which Nationalists started a revolt against the Government of the United States led by Blanca Canales, a social worker, and her cousins, Elio and Doris Torresola.
Canales led the group into the main town square and gave a speech, declaring Puerto Rico an independent republic.
The group held the town for three days, until it was bombed by U.S. planes supporting a ground attack by the Puerto Rico National Guard.
Even though an extensive part of the town was destroyed, the news of the American bombing was not reported outside of Puerto Rico.
When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, the people of Jayuya had to resort to collecting spring water.
[5] Immediately following the hurricane, rescue and restoration efforts began by community members who gathered at the local high school.
[7] Jayuya is located in the center of the island of Puerto Rico, in a valley in the middle of the Cordillera Central.
The Fiestas Patronales Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.
In the outskirts of the city, tourists can visit the Cerro de Punta, highest peak in the island of Puerto Rico, as well as the other mountains mentioned (Tres Picachos, for example).
The Toro Negro State Forest can also be reached through the city.Jayuya is home to the first aerostat in Puerto Rico and one of the world's largest.
In the middle of the 20th century, several manufacturing industries established in Jayuya, aiming to revitalize the economy as well as provide work for the residents.
In the center a green band with a white border representing the Tres Picachos (Three Peaks) mountains.