What to see in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

by Aschleck review

► added on 31st of July, 2008

Santo Domingo is an electrifying island. From the minute you leave the airport you surround yourself in a heavenly paradise. There are tons of things to see in this city in the Dominican Republic. It is the oldest European city and it has conserved its colonial architecture which is spread throughout the entire country.

The most historic site to go to is the Forteleza Ozama, which is a fortress guarded by the Ozama River. It is beautiful and well maintained. In the early 90s, it was marked as one of the including parts of the Colonial Zone that was named as a World heritage Site by the UNESCO. It is also the oldest fortress in all of the Americas. If you wander around more of the Colonial Zone, you will find more historic sites.

There is a variety of colonial buildings that you can discover such as the Catedral Santa María La Menor. Two important places to stop by are the houses of Christopher Columbus’ son (el hijo de Cristobol Colón) Diego Colón and the house of the national hero Juan Pablo Duarte. They are both museums and you can take guided tours of these sights.

Another museum that documents the history of Santo Domingo and of the Dominican Republic is the ex palace of the governor general the Museo de las Casas Reales. There are museums all over Santo Domingo that document everything from history to art that has evolved on the island

You may also be interested in checking out the Parque Colón that is a historic square and the Panteón Nacional which is now a building that holds the remains of Jesuits from the Dominican Order who were famous for various deeds on the island. This last stop goes along great with the Iglesia del Convento Dominico. The above sights in Santo Domingo can all be found conveniently in the Colonial Zone.

Other attractions from Santo Domingo include the following:

Faro de Colón, Centro Olímpico Juan Pablo Duarte, Boulevard 27 de Febrero Barrio Chino, Botanical Garden, Plaza de la Cultura, Museo de Arte Moderno, Enriquillo Park National, Zoo, Mirador Norte Sur Este Park, Palacio de Bellas Artes,Teatro Nacional, Las Praderas Metropolitan Park