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 Santo Domingo was the first European city established in the Western Hemisphere. A large part of its rich colonial heritage, buildings and monuments is preserved in its original place of existence, where the Ozama River meets the Caribbean sea, named by locals as "The Colonial City."
Wandering around the colonial zone's cobblestone streets and centuries-old façades you will discover one after another sixteenth century dwellings, imposing late medieval palaces and fortresses, set amidst a refreshingly non-geometric street-grid.
The Colonial City is home to the Western Hemisphere's first cathedral, its first monastery, its first hospital, its first university, and its first court of law. Recognizing Santo Domingo as the cradle of European civilization in the New World, UNESCO has declared the Colonial City a world heritage site.
Scores of picturesque cafés and bars, small hotels and well established restaurants populate the zone. In the expansive plaza framed by the Palace of Columbus, the Casas Reales Museum and the quaint 17th century sundial, the sidewalk cafés come alive after dusk as an intimate, informal rendezvous for locals and visitors alike. |
