There is evidence that the city of San German existed as far back as 1582. A letter sent back then to Spain's king Felipe II talked about a city with the alternative names of Nueva Salamanca and San German. Spanish conquerors used the name Nueva Salamanca to honor the Salamanca area of Spain.
San German is famous for being the site of the Porta Coeli church, one of the first Spanish style churches built in Latin America. The Porta Coeli church is still a major touristic attraction that brings both domestic and international tourists every year.
Sports-wise, San German only has one professional sports team, BSN's Atleticos de San German. Alternatively nicknamed El monstruo anaranjado (The orange monster, in reference to their uniform) or Los nenes, San German's basketball team has been one of the most successful ones in Puerto Rican basketball history, winning thirteen championships. From 1955 to 1985 the Atleticos did not win a championship, however. But the 1985 edition of the team, helped by Jose Ortiz, beat the Guaynabo Mets in six games to win the national title, and, at the same time, helped San German revitalize its economy by making many Puerto Ricans outside San German remember the city.