The Heart of Santo Domingo

The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santoright down to the depths of nightclubs with multi level
Domingo. It was the first Spanish settlement in thedance floors inside a real cave.
Americas. Christopher Columbus initiated the firstThe most modern memento to Santo Domingos
European New World settlement here in 1496. Hisstatus as the oldest European city in the Americas is a
legacy is preserved in the bricks and mortar of themammoth structure built on the eastern shore of the
historic old section of Santo Domingo, which has beenOzama River in the early 1990s to commemorate the
turned into an entertaining and interesting Colonial500th anniversary of Columbus arrival in the New
theme.World. The building is 693ft long and built in the shape
The South Coast contains some of the countriesof a cross at a 45degree angle. It houses what the
bigger cities and national parks.Dominican Republic claims are the remains of
If any city in the world could be declared the perfectColumbus himself and is fitted with intense lights which
holiday destination, then Santo Domingo would probablyproject the image of the cross into the sky at night.
be a prime candidate, with its modern sophistication, oldThe monument was designed by English architect J L
world charm and Latin charisma, not to mention itsGleave, who won an international competition for the
position on the tropical southern Caribbean coast ofdesign after 455 plans were submitted by architects
the Dominican Republic.from 48 different countries. The building is also the
The only blight on the landscape is the crime raterepository for numerous documents and artefacts
robbery, muggings and petty theft are common soassociated with the early Spanish colonial times.
guard your belongings with care.The vast green square in the heart of Santo Domingo
It boasts the western hemispheres first cathedral, firstserves as the cities cultural and artistic showcase,
monastery, first hospital, first university and first lawbeing fronted by a cluster of four museums, as well as
court. This rich colonial heritage, sparked off in the 15ththe National Theatre. The museums are the Museum
century by legendary Spanish explorer Christopherof Modern Art, the Museum of History and Geography,
Columbus, has been turned into a World Heritage Sitethe Museum of Natural History and the Museum of
in the heart of the city, known as the Colonial City.Dominican Man. The National Theatre runs a full
The superb shopping, delicious dining, dazzling casinos,programme of opera, ballet, music and drama
seductive parks and vibrant nightlife all beckonproductions.
enticingly, from the monumental Columbus Lighthouse