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—HOSTING INSTITUTIONS—
Centro Cultural de España
Museo de las Casas Reales
—LOCATIONS OF WORKSHOPS—
1. Plaza de España and Alcazar de Colón.
Plaza de España used to be the backyard of the Alcazar the Colón (Columbus Palace) until the middle of the XX century when it was rebuilt and it is currently use for public shows and performances. The Alcazar was the house of Diego Colón, son of Christopher Columbus, when he became Vice Regal of America, and its construction started in 1509. It was restored around 1955 and converted into a museum where you can find more than 800 original pieces from the XIII to the XX century. It is a great location for 360˚ sketches and panoramic views of the other side of the city through the Ozama River.
2. San Diego Gateway and the Port Avenue. In 1576, San Diego gateway was the main maritime entrance to the city, restored in the 1980's. Going through this gate you will be right on the renovated port, where, if lucky, we could have cruises visiting the city.
3. Las Damas St.
Calle Las Damas is the oldest street, dating from 1502 and it's bordered by many of the zone's more prominent landmarks, like Fortaleza Ozama with its “Homage Tower”, Casa de Bastidas Museum and the National Pantheon. The tower, a military construction from 1507 will give you a great panoramic view of the other side of the river Ozama, the port and part of the city and ocean. More photographs and information.
4. Parque Colón and the Santa María la Menor Cathedral.
The park is located outside the Cathedral, the first in America, and is the back entrance to the pedestrian Conde St. It has the original concept of a Spanish city, surrounded by religious and governmental buildings, like Palacio Consistorial. The Cathedral's construction officially began in 1523 and was completed in 1541. It is a great spot for capturing life at coffee shops, people, architecture, 360˚, colonial city life, and reportage drawing. See a 360-degree view.
5. El Conde St. This is the oldest Commercial street in the city of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. It runs directly through the center of Colonial Zone; 10 blocks of cobblestone walk way filled with shops, restaurants, and all types of people.
6. Ruins of the San Franciscan Church and Monastery.
The San Franciscan Order arrived in 1502 and built this church between 1523 and 1664. What we appreciate today is the result of modifications that were done in 1772, but in the early 19th century, its arches collapsed after having been neglected for a period of time. See a slide show.
7. Parque Duarte and Convento de los Dominicos at Padre Billini St.
Parque Duarte it's full of contrasts, in the afternoon you can see couples having their wedding photo sessions here, but in the nights, it's known for being the favorite meeting spot of the revolutionaries from the 60's, the free spirits, the GLBT community and anyone who thinks different. This is the place where the Trinitarians (the young leaders who fought for our independence) first met to plan their defense against the Haitian occupation between 1822 and 1844. In front of the park is the old Convento de los Dominicos, completed in 1535, and housed the first university of America. Great to draw quietly in the morning and afternoons, in the night it's a big party. A couple of blocks down it’s also the Regina Church.
8. Calle Hostos and Ruins and Hospital San Nicolas de Bari.
This street is one of the most beautiful and unique in the Colonial Zone, where you can see some of the original old wooden houses, protected by UNESCO, lining the incline path. The street was originally named Calle del Hospital, named so because it is the location of the old Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, now known as the Ruinas de Bari. This street changed names again in 1904 to take the name of the Dominican national hero and educator Eugenio María de Hostos (1839-1903). Calle Hostos has been the location for many different movie shoots the most famous of which is The Godfather III. More photographs and information.
9. Fort of San José and Fray Antón de Montesinos' Statue (ocean front).
Fort of San José was one of the first strong holds of the walled city in the 16th century. It's construction began in the mid 1500's taking over 2 centuries to complete. In front of it you can see the Fray Antón de Montesinos statue. This monument was a gift from the Mexican government to the people of the Dominican Republic in 1982 and it represents Montesinos, the first outspoken defender of human rights in America, delivering his famous Advent Sunday Sermon in 1511 to government officials, denouncing the abuses being carried out by the conquistadors against to the tainos (native people). See a 360-degree view.
10. Parque Independencia/Puerta del Conde.
The wall was completed in 1655, but it wasn't until February 27th, 1844 that "Puerta del Conde" became a national symbol. It was here that the heroes of the country (The Trinitarians) overtook the Haitian government and retook the city for their own thus reclaiming their Independence. Within the guarded gate is the Parque Independencia where is located the Altar of the Nation which is the mausoleum for the founding fathers, Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, and Ramón Matías Mella.
11. Mercado Modelo
This lively shopping site is the largest craft market in the capital. It is surrounded by food stalls catering to local shoppers, and was once a popular local marketplace. Many years ago the market was a place to buy produce and other essentials, but although it is no longer a true urban market, this remains a good shopping stop for tourist and also locals who buy gifts to take overseas.
12. Iglesia de las Mercedes
This temple was built as a convent between 1527 and 1555. The current arched domes were built in 1635 as well as the western portal. The northern portal dates back to 1678.
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| Photo courtesy of dominicanaonline.org. |
This plaza, named after the philantropist and educator Father Francisco Xavier Billini, was a piece of land donated in 1898 to the municipality by a member of society. In front of this plaza you will find the Tostado House, famous for its Queen Elizabeth Gothic style window which faces north and is unique in America. This house served as the Archbishop’s Palace and it currently holds the Museum of the Dominican Family.
Text and photos by Orling Domínguez
Map with more monuments here.
