Cathedral of Santa MariaInside the Colonial City stands the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, built in 1523 and still in use. Its mix of late Gothic and Renaissance elements provide a beautiful example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, with its golden coral facade and Gothic interior. Its walls have seen a great deal of history, including the coming of Sir Francis Drake who captured Santo Domingo in 1586 and held the town for ransom. He made the cathedral his headquarters.
Colonial CityThe historic enclave of Santo Domingo, known as the Colonial
City, covers only one square mile (3 sq km), but inside the walls are dozens of historical buildings and sites, including palaces, forts, museums, and churches; and parks, plazas, statues and monuments. A walking tour of these fascinating buildings takes at least three hours through cobbled streets where once walked Christopher Columbus, Fernando Cortez and Francis Drake. The main street, Calle Das Lamas, is the oldest street in the New World. Must-sees include the House of Cord, the oldest European building in the Americas, where Diego Columbus, son of Christopher, once lived; and the Alcazar Palace, now a museum, built in 1514.
Columbus Lighthouse MonumentThe most modern memento to Santo Domingo's status as the oldest European city in the Americas is a mammoth structure built on the eastern shore of the Ozama River in the early 1990s to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the New World. The building is 693ft (211m) long and built in the shape of a cross at a 45-degree angle. It houses what the Dominican Republic claims are the remains of Columbus himself and is fitted with intense lights which project the image of the cross into the sky at night. The monument was designed by English architect J.L. Gleave, who won an international competition for the design after 455 plans were submitted by architects from 48 different countries. The building is also the repository for numerous documents and artifacts associated with the early Spanish colonial times.
Address: Av. España
Phone Number: (809) 591 1492
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5.30pm
Admission: RD$20 (adults), RD$5 (children under 11)
National AquariumAbout a mile east of the Columbus Lighthouse monument is sited what is claimed to be one of the better aquariums in the Caribbean. The aquarium contains a variety of marine life from angelfish to sharks, but its star resident is 'Tamaury', a manatee rescued as a baby off the coast of Barahona. The aquarium is equipped with a clear glass sea-tunnel that makes viewing the enclosed sea life an awesome experience.
Address: Av. España 75, Sans Soucí
Phone Number: (809) 766 1709
Email Address: info@acuarionacional.com
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.30pm
Admission: RD$40 (adults)
Plaza de la CulturaThe vast green square in the heart of Santo Domingo serves as the city's cultural and artistic showcase, being fronted by a cluster of four museums, as well as the National Theater. The museums are the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of History and Geography, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Dominican Man. The National Theater runs a full program of opera, ballet, music and drama productions.
Los Tres Ojos National ParkThis unique park, on the east bank of the Ozama River, is a surreal experience for visitors. The park is actually a series of huge natural caves on different levels, containing fresh water lagoons. One is a sulphuric lake rumoured to be bottomless, which is contained in a volcanic crater. The caves are festooned with stalactites and stalagmites. The pre-Columbian Taino Indians used the site for religious ceremonies.
Address: Av. Las Américas
Phone Number: (809) 472 4204
Hours: Daily 8am to 5pm
Admission: RD$50
Boca ChicaA popular escape from city life is provided by the small seaside town of Boca Chica, a 25-minute drive east of Santo Domingo on the Avenida de las Americas. The resort was developed by a wealthy industrialist around one of the best swimming beaches on the coast, and boasts crystal-clear calm waters, a yacht club and marina, golf course and some excellent seafood restaurants.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Dominican Republic Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Dominican Republic City Guides:
|
|
|
