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Santo Domingo's Treasures
By : Ciara LaVelle
Photos J. Kevin Foltz
Looking out to the sea from the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, the city of Santo Domingo is a place where time stands still, yet it’s also one of the Caribbean’s most modern, vibrant cities. Home to relics of the past that date to the arrival of Christopher Columbus and beyond, as well as a thriving arts and cultural scene, this capital lets visitors experience a piece of living history, with both the past and present on display side by side.
A Part of History
Founded in 1496, Santo Domingo was the first center of Spanish rule in the Caribbean; today, it’s the oldest European city in the Americas. Amazingly, many of its original structures still stand. In the Colonial Zone, visitors can see the remains of Columbus’ first settlement in the New World, which evolved into a home base for the Spanish to launch their attacks to conquer other Caribbean islands and the American mainland. Today, the area is a protected World Heritage Site, ensuring that its striking historic landmarks and its imposing defensive wall surrounding the city from the Ozama River to La Puerta del Conde remain intact.
Within these walls lies one of Santo Domingo’s most important and impressive structures: the Santa Maria La Menor Cathedral. Dating to 1514, when construction began on the building, the cathedral is the oldest in the Americas.Today, its restoration shows off the Gothic and Baroque architecture that was popular centuries ago. Its remarkable coral limestone exterior is just the beginning of the treasures visitors can discover here. Inside, you’ll find an altar entirely made of silver, as well as a collection of artifacts, including centuries-old jewelry, silver items, woodcarvings and more. Legend has it that what’s supposed to be the remains of Christopher Columbus were kept here before they were moved to the Columbus Lighthouse—a more modern building set outside the Colonial Zone inaugurated in 1992 as a tribute to Columbus’ legacy of exploration. Though it’s a recent construction, the Columbus Lighthouse is home to plenty of historic artifacts; inside the cross-shaped building, travelers can see jewelry from Colombia and a boat from Cuba. But its most striking feature is best witnessed at night, when its massive lights beam from the rooftop, projecting a giant cross in the sky.
Back in the Colonial Zone, the Alcazar de Colon competes with the Santa Maria La Menor Cathedral in terms of historic significance and grandeur. This palace was built by Diego Columbus, son of Christopher, and his wife, who was closely related to Spain’s royal family. Diego Columbus later became governor of the city, turning the Alcazar into the center of the Spanish court and a hosting site for important visitors such as Ponce de Leon, until Sir Francis Drake supposedly ransacked the palace in the late 1500s. Today, the site is beautifully restored, and visitors can wander its flamboyantly designed rooms to see paintings, tapestries and other antiques from the 1500s.
Modern Attractions
The Colonial Zone is ideal for exploring the history and culture of Santo Domingo from centuries ago. But if you’re interested in more recent events and attractions, step outside its protective walls to visit museums like the Museo del Hombre Dominicano. With a mission of recording and preserving Dominican culture, the museum collects and displays artifacts from all walks of Dominican life, ranging from pieces from the days of the Taino—the indigenous people of the island of Hispaniola—to traditional carnival masks and costumes worn during Santo Domingo’s annual Carnival celebrations. It’s not far from there to the site of the Carnival celebration itself, the Malecon, a wide road running along the coast that’s perfect for strolling, with stops at its casinos and restaurants.
Art buffs shouldn’t miss a visit to the Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art), set within the Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte, a vibrant cultural area that’s also home to the National Theater and National Library. The museum is a relatively new construction, founded as a gallery in 1976, and its art collection reflects its focus on current trends. Works on display date as far back as 1844, the year of the Dominican Republic’s independence, but the focus is mainly on contemporary artists, particularly in its temporary exhibit area, which features new work by both Dominican and international artists.
Anyone who’s visited Santo Domingo, or any part of the Dominican Republic, has witnessed firsthand the locals’ love of rum. The national drink is so admired, and so much a part of Dominican culture, that the Museo del Ron y la Caña (Museum of Rum and Sugarcane) was established in the Colonial Zone in 2008 to honor, preserve and educate travelers about its history, production and uses. Set inside a colonial building dating to the 1500s, the museum exhibits tools and other artifacts once used in the production of the liquor: bronze stoves, harvesting knives and plows, and old casks formerly used to store the rum. At the end of their tour through the history of Dominican rum production, visitors can enjoy a rum drink at the on-site bar.
Where to Stay
Just off the Malecon, the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel and Casino offers guests access to the beach, dining and entertainment along a scenic path. Three golf courses are nearby, and its on-site casino, swimming pool and full-service spa ensure guests have plenty to do when they’ve finished exploring the city.
marriott.com
How To Get There: American Airlines and American Eagle provide service to Santo Domingo.
Book your trip today! Visit www.aa.com, call American/American Eagle reservations at 1-800-433-7300, or call your travel agent for more information.
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