Colonial Zone

This is really a town within Santa Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic.

Bordered by the Río Ozama it also has an impressive collection of 16th century buildings, including palatial houses and majestic churches that reflect the architectural style of the late medieval period.

The cobblestone streets and late medieval architecture of the Western Hemisphere's first city let visitors glimpse the colonial past as vibrant nightlife, warm beaches and up-market resorts take historic Santo Domingo into its future.

The Colonial Zone [or Zona Colonial] really is the place to see and be seen in Santo Domingo.

What to see in the colonial zone

The Alcázar de Colón [see photo above right], grandiose and majestic abode that Don Diego Colón ordered to be constructed as his residence. Construction work on the Alcázar`s began in 1510, with some 1,500 native Taínos laboring for Spanish architects. From here, the New World was administered and expeditions were launched. It was a nerve-center of power and authority facilitated the colonization of Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, Mexico, Florida, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Jamaica.

The Altar of the Nation also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs of the Country or more simply the National Mausoleum. This is the resting place for the bodies of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic; Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, and Ramon Matias Mella. Built in 1976 made of white marble it is a fitting memorial for these the heroes of the country.

The Pantéon Nacional

The National Pantheon was built from 1714 to 1748 and was originally a Jesuit church. Inside are the tombs of heroes of independence. At noon there is a changing of the guard.

Parque Colon[right]

Columbus Park is a bustling park in which stands the statue of Columbus. This bronze statue dates back from 1897 and is the work of French sculptor Gilbert. It shows a native Taino woman reaching up to Columbus.

Ruinas Del Hospital San Nicholas De Bari

The ruins of the first hospital built in the Americas. The original building was a palm hut but this was repaced by the stone building in 1519.

The hospital was originally built because of the volume of sickness and disease due to the heat, insects and lack of medicical facilities. In 1586 Francis Drake burned and destroyed the medical center and stole its contents.

Fortelaza Ozama

Ozama is the Taino word for navigable waters or wetlands. The Fortress of Santo Domingo was built between 1502 and 1508 by African and Taino slaves.

With a view over both the Ozama River and the Caribbean Sea, it was built to defend the city and indeed it was never taken by force.

Catedral santa maria la menor

Catedral Metropolitana Santa María de la Encarnación. In 1524, this the first cathedral in the Americas, was originally a hut made of royal palms. It is one of the most historic buildings in the Colonial Zone. Diego Columbus set the first stone and since then many additions and changes have been made to the original structure.

The church was worked on and designed by so many different and that is why so many architectural styles can be seen in one building. There are Roman style arches and Gothic style vaults with the addition of some Baroque ornaments.

In its time the building has been used as a slaughterhouse and a prison. It was a wine and provision storage facility used by the pirates when it was ransacked in 1586 by Sir Francis Drake.

If you are interested in the Colonial Zone you will be interested in Santa Domingo

Or the prison gigs that I played with the British Ambassador

Or the national flag

Or Dominican cuisine

Or Dominican history

Or the resort of Bayahibe

Map of the Colonial Zone