SANTO DOMINGO
E-mail ABYTAHOTEL@CODETEL.NET.DO - TEL / FAX: + 809 2212027
SANTO DOMINGO (pop: 4 million), the capital and chief seaport, was founded on 5 August 1498 (although the first houses were built in 1496) by Columbus' brother Bartolomé on the eastern bank of the Río Ozama and hence was the first capital in Spanish America.
For years the city was the base for the Spaniards' exploration and conquest of the continent: from it Ponce de León sailed to discover Puerto Rico, Hernán Cortés launched his attack on Mexico, Balboa discovered the Pacific and Diego de Velázquez set out to settle Cuba.
Hispaniola was where Europe's first social and political activities in the Americas took place. Santo Domingo itself holds the title 'first' for a variety of offices: first city, having the first Audiencia Real, cathedral, university, coinage, et cetera. In view of this, Unesco has designed Santo Domingo a World Cultural Heritage site (Patrimonio Cultural Mundial). In the old part of the city, on the west bank of the Río Ozama, there are many fine early 16th century buildings.
Restoration of the OLD CITY has made the area very attractive, with open air cafés and pleasant squares near the waterfront Avenida Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó, formerly Avenida del Puerto.
Under the title of the Quinto Centenario, Santo Domingo played a prominent role in the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landfall in the Caribbean (1492-1992).
The Government undertook an
extensive programme of public works, principally restoration work in the
colonial city. A series of commemorative coins in limited editions was
struck, available from the Centro de Información Numismática.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Catedral Basílica Menor de Santa
María, Primada de América: the first cathedral to be
founded in the New World. Its first stone was laid by Diego Colón, son
of Christopher Columbus, in 1514; the architect was Alonzo Rodríguez. It
was finished in 1540. The alleged remains of Christopher Columbus were
found in 1877 during restoration work.
TORRE DEL HOMENAJE INSIDE FORTALEZA OSAMA:
reached through the mansion of Rodrigo Bastidas (later the founder of
the city of Santa Marta in Colombia) on Calle Las Damas, which is now
completely restored and has a museum/gallery with temporary exhibitions.
It is the oldest fortress in America, constructed 1503-07 by Nicolás de
Ovando, whose house in the same street is being restored and turned into
a splendid hotel.
MUSEO DE LAS CASAS REALES, on Calle Las Damas, in a reconstructed early 16th century building which was in colonial days the Palace of the Governors and Captains-General, and of the Real Audiencia and Chancery of the Indies.
MONASTERIO DE SAN FRANCISCO (ruins), Hostos esquina E Tejera, first monastery in America, constructed in the first decade of the 16th century. Sacked by Drake and destroyed by earthquakes in 1673 and 1751.
PUERTA DEL
CONDE (Baluarte de 27 de Febrero), at the end of El Conde (now a
pedestrian street) in the Parque Independencia. Named for the Conde de
Peñalva, who helped defend the city against William Penn in 1655.
Restored in 1976, near it lie the remains of Sánchez, Mella and Duarte,
the 1844 independence leaders.
PARKS...
PARQUE COLON, PARQUE MIRADOR DEL ESTE
(Autopista de las Américas, a seven kilometer-long alameda) and
PARQUE MIRADOR DEL SUR (Paseo de las Indios
at Mirador Sur, seven kilometers long, popular for walking, jogging,
cycling, picnics). Parque Mirador del Norte has been constructed on the
banks of the Río Isabela, near Guarícano and Villa Mella. On Avenida
José Contreras are many caves, some with lakes, in the southern cliff of
Parque Mirador del Sur.
THE JARDIN BOTANICO NACIONAL, Urbanización Los Ríos.
PARQUE ZOOLOGICO NACIONAL, La Puya.
THE BOTANIC GARDENS are highly recommended (the Japanese Garden especially); horse-drawn carriages and a small train tour the grounds , which are extensive.
ACUARIO NACIONAL, Avenida España, on the coast east of the city, a manatee is one of the exhibits, very popular.
AQUA SPLASH, a water fun center is on the other side of the road.
THE FARO A COLON (Columbus Lighthouse), built at great cost (and not without controversy) in the Parque Mirador del Este, is in the shape of a cross.
TRES OJOS, two water-filled caves and a sunken lake, a popular tourist attraction.