Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"Santo Domingo" a Santo Domingo Travel Page by alfredop

Search:
Home » Caribbean and Central America » Dominican Republic » Distrito Nacional » Santo Domingo » Santo Domingo - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

"Santo Domingo" a Santo Domingo Travel Page by alfredop

See the Entire Santo Domingo Travel Guide

Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


alfredop   
Lif is full of colors, pick your best match...


Real Name: Alfredo Pina Cedillo
Lives In: Querétaro, MX
Member Since: Jan 04, 2003
VT Rank: 1669

 

Page Views: 2,346            Last Visit to Santo Domingo: September, 2002      

Santo Domingo

by alfredop - last update: May 14, 2006

Santo Domingo - The beginning of the end

Just cruisin'...
Santo Domingo was the first European city in the Americas — an important base for dozens of Spanish explorers, with Hernán Cortés leaving here to launch his attack on Mexico, and Diego de Velázquez setting out to settle Cuba.

The Colonial City is the perfect starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo. Here, between Independence Park and the Ozama River, you will find the first city built in the New World by European settlers, including Columbus's brother, Bartholomeo, and his son, Diego Columbus.

The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, the site of numerous historic buildings including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas. There is also the house of Nicolás de Ovando, governor of Santo Domingo in the early 1500's and a ruthless warrior against the Taino Indians.

Of great historical interest is the Museo de las Casas Reales(Museum of the Royal Houses), the restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, which features a wonderful glimpse of the past. Nearby is the Alcázar de Colón (Castle of Columbus) built by Diego Columbus and his wife Maria de Toledo, niece of the Spanish King Ferdinand.

A few streets over in the center of the walled city, visitors will find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, pronounced the first cathedral in the New World by Pope Paul III in 1542. While touring the colonial city, visitors can learn all about amber, the stone made even more famous by Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park film. The Amber Museum on Calle Arz. Meriño features exceptional educational exhibits of this semi-precious jewel.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

alfredop's Santo Domingo Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 11 - Photos: 20
 
Restaurants
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
TransportationLocal Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

Comments for alfredop about Santo Domingo
ValbyDK Sun Jul 27, 2008 13:38 UTC
 Hi Alfredo. You have a great Santo Domingo page (and other DomRep pages). Greetings from Denmark / Klaus
marielexoteria Tue Mar 25, 2008 14:39 UTC
 Great page about my hometown! Greetings.
damaris05 Wed Jun 2, 2004 17:08 UTC
 I'm interested in this house. Is this in Santo Domingo? I will be visiting Santo Domingo on a Mission Trip in about 3 weeks and I'd like to learn as much as I can about it before I leave.
quartinb Mon Jan 5, 2004 17:40 UTC
 mui guapa pg...
See More Comments

Santo Domingo Hotels

About VirtualTourist10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTouristContact UsPress CenterHelpUser AgreementPrivacy Statement
Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.