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Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest city in the New World. It was founded in 1496, at the earliest stage of Spanish colonization, so it hosts everything "first European" of the Dominican Republic: the first street, the first cathedral and the first hospital.

Fortresses, colonial palaces and chapels of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo date back to the early 16th century. Walking through these streets means travelling through the history. Here, in Columbus Alcazar, Don Diego Colon ruled as Viceroy. Here, men like Hernan Cortes, Ponce de Leon and Rodrigo de Bastidas plotted their conquests and set sail from the port of Santo Domingo in search of adventure, gold and new lands.

Santo Domingo attractions: Las Damas Street

The Calle de las Damas (Ladies Street) was the first street to be traced in Santo Domingo. Originally its name was Calle de la Fuerza (Street of the Force) due to its proximity with the Fortress. Then the name was changed to Calle de las Damas, as Maria de Toledo (Don Diego's wife) and her courtier used to take a daily promenade along this street.

First Cathedral of the Americas

Santo Domingo is home to the First Cathedral in the New World, Catedral Primada de America. Its construction began in March, 1523, under the orders of Archbishop Geraldini, and was finished almost two decades later, in 1541. On February 12, 1546, due to a request of King Charles the Fifth, Pope Paul III gave this church the status of the First Metropolitan Cathedral of the Indies.

The Cathedral is located at the corner of Arzobispo Merino and Arzobispo Nouel streets, close to Parque Colon (Columbus Park). It can be visited from Monday to Saturday, from 9 AM to 4.30 PM. Masses take place on Sundays at noon and 5 PM. Visitors wearing short pants are not allowed inside the Cathedral.

Columbus Alcazar

Alcazar de Colon, or in English, Columbus Alcazar was built at the beginning of the 16th Century and served as a palace to the Great Admiral's son, Don Diego Colon and his wife. Today this Gothic-Mudejar style building is a museum, showing the liestyle, art and customs during the Colony time.

Ozama Fortress and Homage Tower

The Ozama Fortress is located on Las Damas Street. Ozama is a Taino word meaning river of profound waters, and the fortress was named after the river that passes by. It includes the Torre of Homenaje (Tower of Homage). Raised in 1505 with a height of 18 mt. (60 ft.), this tower is the highest building in the Colonial City.

San Nicolas de Bari Ruins

In the corner of Calle Hostos and Calle Luperon visitors of Santo Domingo can see the ruins of the first hospital in the Americas, San Nicolas de Bari, built in the 16th century under the rule of Frey Nicolas de Ovando. The hospital also functioned as a church, until it was abandoned in the middle of the 18th century.