Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: America’s First City

By Karoline Urena • October 10, 2008

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is a charming city that combines the sophistication of the modern world, with old world charm and passion of Latin America. This cosmopolitan city dazzles with excellent cuisine, vibrant nightlife, shopping options and attractive, particularly in the context of a unique historical heritage in the Americas. Santo Domingo is the ideal spot for travelers looking to enjoy the contemporary and old at once.

When we speak of the Dominican Republic cannot fail to remember that it is purely and simply The Hispaniola, the Spanish, first point touched by Columbus in America. Keeps therefore, the oldest Spanish tradition in America which, together with its aboriginal past and the sophistication of the modern world gives to the capital, Santo Domingo, a very particular touch that links it with the exotic and international.

History

Founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Admiral, the current capital of Dominican Republic was the first key to the Indies and saves numerous samples of his past. It was the city where for the first time in the New World was installed an archdiocese and where was lifted the first American university in 1538.

Proclaimed by UNESCO as “world heritage”, this is a city of firsts, with the first cathedral of the New World, the first fortress, monastery, hospital, university, street and palace. The cobbled streets of the colonial city evoke the romance of that era, with its sturdy stone walls and small cafes and bars by the river.

Its colonial neighborhood, which still holds a strong Andalusian air in many of its corners, is the most monumental of the island and the first contribution of the Spanish architecture in the New World. Its layout Renaissance, almost grid, was a precedent and model for all American cities later. Wandering around you can follow the footsteps of history.

To begin entering through the Puerta del Conde until the Alcazar de Colon, named for being home of Diego Columbus, son of the discoverer and first viceroy of the island, but before he lived in the Casa del Cordon, on the street Isabel La Catolita (Isabel the Catholic). Renaissance style and Gothic has the peculiarity of being built without using nails to do so. On the street where it is located, Calle Las Damas (Ladies Street) walked his wife Maria de Toledo with his entourage.

In this way are the Capilla de los Remedios (chapel of the Remedies) and the house of Governor Nicolas de Ovando, Gothic style and one of the most beautiful in the city, which now houses a hotel. At the end of the street are the Casas Reales (Royal Houses). Built in the sixteenth century, like most of the old town, housed the Royal Audiences and the General Captaincy and the first court of the Americas. Among many other places of interest are located here, stresses the Fortress of Santo Domingo, one of the most prominent military construction in the Caribbean.

Nearby lie the Atarazanas Reales (Royal Atarazanas), the former colonial warehouse where he stored the goods which are then carried to Europe. He is currently a museum that houses the remains of objects found in vessels. Atarazanas were the Royal House of Recruitment. In the Casa del Cordon (house of Cordon) were weighed tributes to be paid to the pirate Francis Drake and the governor Ovando has become a boutique hotel. The cathedral, completed in the mid-sixteenth century, is the first of the New World. From Gothic predominately Elizabethan style is divided into three naves and houses paintings by Velazquez and Murillo.

For the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo is of paramount importance both in politics, culture, business and all aspects of national life, and that centers around two million inhabitants (about 8 million estimated in the entire country); possesses major seaports, the main international airport and is the seat of government.

Numerous international congresses and events professionals from different areas are at their superbly conditioned hotels and modern Convention Center throughout the year, with the blessing of their friendly and warm Caribbean climate and its attractive 26 degrees Celsius in average temperature during throughout the year.

This converges to make the city the main shopping center of the Dominican Republic; this will not affect the climate of peace and security that can breathe when walking by their cozy streets under the tropical sun of the Caribbean.

The modern part houses the main museums of the city, including those of Natural History, full of beautiful orchids, the History and Geography, of the Dominican Man, the National Library and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. In the Parque del Este (East Park) is the Columbus Lighthouse, a huge cross that houses the remains of Admiral and the Archaeological Museum.

Cannot be left to roam the Malecon, a lively promenade that runs parallel to the Caribbean Sea and which is packed with restaurants, bars and clubs where merengue and bachata does not stop all night. At night, the Street of the Atarazanas and the seats around them come to life as the meeting place of Dominicans and visitors. From here one looks at the bright lights of the monumental Columbus Lighthouse located on the other side of the Ozama River. This mausoleum houses the remains of Christopher Columbus. In the evenings, laser lights of the monument project a gigantic cross in the night sky. The beach at Boca Chica, on the outskirts, is itself a fusion of spectacle.