Santo domingo where. Capital of the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo - Living History
Introductory Provisions and Terms
Company "Two Bananas" offers tourist services, including excursions, tours, trips, visits, recreational and cultural.. Any individual, accessing the Site and accepting these Terms and Conditions is the "Buyer". Hereinafter, "Two Bananas" and the Buyer will be collectively referred to as the "Parties".
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1. Booking Services
1.1. Booking of Services and the procedure for their confirmation between "Two Bananas" and the Buyer is made electronically, starting from the moment the Buyer sends a request for booking an excursion or service. By submitting a booking request, the Buyer understands and accepts the Services as described on the Site and accepts these Terms and Conditions.
1.2. The process of booking Services includes the following steps:
"Two Bananas" accepts the application and checks the availability of the date of interest to the Buyer;
After the Parties agree on the dates, "Two Bananas" sends the Buyer instructions for paying for the Services (if payment is not provided for on the day of the service or the excursion);
The Buyer undertakes to confirm the booking by making 100% payment for the cost of services, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.
1.3. The booking is considered completed at the moment of sending the "Two Bananas" booking confirmation by e-mail or other means of communication to the Buyer.
1.4. Prior to completion of the booking, the Buyer must inform about his specific needs and services that may be required due to his physical condition, otherwise, "Two Bananas" does not assume any special obligations, liability or compensation in connection with these needs of the Buyer.
2. Cost and payment
2.1. The prices on the Site are indicated in dollars and if, by agreement of the Parties, the Buyer makes a part of the payment on the day the Services begin in another currency, the cost of the Services will be calculated at the rate of the National Bank of the Dominican Republic on the current date.
3. Rights and obligations of "Two Bananas"
3.1. "Two Bananas" undertakes:
Make these Terms and Conditions available to the Buyer by publishing them on the Site.
Give the Buyer a confirmation of the booking of the Services by e-mail or other means of communication after receiving payment for the Services.
Provide booked and paid Services in accordance with their description provided on the Site.
Inform the Buyer that "Two Bananas" is not responsible for services and products provided by third parties.
3.2. "Two Bananas" has the right:
Change the schedule, route or sequence of visits to attractions due to unforeseen, unavoidable or other similar circumstances.
Terminate the provision of the Services if the Buyer makes their provision difficult or impossible by their rude or indecent behavior. In the event that the Two Bananas guides assess the Buyer's behavior as inappropriate and disruptive in places of visits, especially in religious and cultural places, such Buyer will be denied further provision of the Services without reimbursement of his expenses and compensation for the cost of the Services.
4. Rights and obligations of the Buyer
4.1. The buyer undertakes:
Agree to the Two Bananas Privacy Policy, booking, payment and cancellation policies as set out in these Terms and Conditions.
Provide the information necessary to make the booking.
After receiving confirmation of the booking, check the information indicated in it, and in case of detection of errors, inform Two Bananas immediately.
Buy travel insurance while visiting the Dominican Republic.
Pay the full cost of the booked Services on the day of the excursion or service.
Arrive at the meeting point with the Two Banana guides without delay.
Be personally responsible for being physically able and willing to participate in any activities/activities included in the booked Services and to wear appropriate clothing.
Conduct yourself in a proper and decent manner, as well as with respect for local laws and traditions.
To independently take care of personal belongings, because "Two Bananas" is not responsible for the safety of the Buyer's personal belongings.
Compensate immediately and on the spot for any damage caused to Two Bananas and / or third parties during the provision of the Services, if the Buyer is responsible for causing such damage.
4.2. The buyer has the right:
Receive the Services in accordance with their description on the Site, the booking confirmation and these Terms and Conditions.
5. Cancellation, modification of conditions and termination of the provision of Services
5.1. Cancellation or modification of the Two Banana Services:
5.1.1. "Two Bananas" may cancel the provision of the Services in whole or in part due to circumstances that arose beyond the will and desire of "Two Bananas", and which cannot be foreseen or avoided (force majeure), including declared or actual war, civil unrest, acts of public authorities , sanctions, epidemics, blockade, earthquakes, floods, fires and other natural disasters and other similar phenomena that prevent the "Two Bananas" from fulfilling their obligations.
5.1.2. "Two Bananas" reserves the right to change the date or time of the start of the provision of the Services, as well as the right to change the route, in the event of unforeseen circumstances specified in clause 5.1.1., Without incurring obligations to pay compensation and indemnify the Buyer.
5.1.3. If the provision of the Services was interrupted due to the occurrence of the circumstances specified in clause 5.1.1., "Two Bananas" has the right to withhold payment for the actually rendered Services.
5.1.4. If "Two Bananas" cannot complete the provision of the Services due to the occurrence of the circumstances specified in clause 5.1.1., then, at the request of the Buyer, "Two Bananas" may refund to the Buyer a part of the amount paid for those Services that were not provided, according to the "Two Bananas" calculations.
5.1.5. "Two Bananas" may terminate the provision of the Services without compensation to the Buyer if the Buyer makes it impossible to provide the Services through its rude and inappropriate behavior. In addition, in this case, the Buyer is obliged to compensate the damage caused by "Two Bananas" in the amount of the full cost of the Services and other losses.
5.2. Cancellation of booking and provision of Services by the Buyer:
5.2.1. The Buyer has the right to cancel the booked Services. Cancellation is made by sending a message by e-mail or other means of communication indicated in the contacts section. A previously unpaid tour must be canceled at least two days before it takes place. If the excursion or service was paid in advance (as required by the internal rules of the company and the cooperation agreement with the contractor "Two Bananas"), a 100% refund of the amount is possible if there is a good reason for canceling the excursion or service, as well as advance (at least 4 days) informing "Two Bananas" ".
5.2.2 If on the start date of the tour / trip the Buyer did not appear at the appointed time at the meeting point, then Two Bananas reserves the right to withhold the full cost of the Services.
6. Liability of the Parties and Dispute Resolution
6.1. For all matters not regulated by these Terms and Conditions, the Parties agree to be guided by the laws of the Dominican Republic.
6.2. Any complaints from the Buyer must be voiced to the leaders, guides or managers of "Two Bananas" immediately and must include an argument regarding the inconsistency of the Services described on the site and the Services provided to the Buyer. The Buyer agrees to cooperate with Two Bananas and wait until his valid complaint is resolved on the spot, as well as accept the proposed solutions to continue the provision of the Services. If the Buyer's complaint cannot be resolved immediately and on the spot, then the Buyer has the right to send it, along with documents confirming his correctness, by e-mail or other means of communication. Two Bananas will resolve the complaint within a reasonable time and in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. Return Money, after consideration of the complaint, may be carried out in the amount equal to the unrendered part of the Services, according to the calculations of "Two Bananas", but cannot exceed the full cost of all the Services provided.
6.3. "Two Bananas" is not responsible for services/products provided by third parties.
6.4. "Two Bananas" is not responsible for injury, damage, loss, accidents, delays or deviations from the schedule, expenses or other problems for the Buyer in connection with the breach of obligations on the part of hotels, transport companies or other companies and persons providing services, included in the Services purchased by the Buyer.
6.5. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under the laws of the Dominican Republic, it will be removed from the Terms and Conditions and the remaining provisions of the Terms and Conditions will remain in effect. full strength and will continue to be binding.
Because of Haiti's location, Spanish King Philip II called it "the key to the western Indian lands". The islanders call it "the jaw of a crocodile, ready to snap on the tail of Cuba." Two states coexist in Haiti: Haiti (in the western part of the island) and the Dominican Republic, which owns two-thirds of the territory. The 360-kilometer border separating the two countries is limited in the north and in the south. The Mona Channel, feared by all sailors due to strong currents and fierce winds, separates the island from Puerto Rico in the east.
The capital of Santo Domingo is the most ancient city in the New World. It was founded on August 4, 1496 on east coast river Osman brother Bartolomeo and named New Isabella. But a strong hurricane destroyed the houses, and Nicholas de Owanda moved the city to the other side of the river.
As conceived by the Spaniards, Santo Domingo was built as a stronghold of their colonial rule in. It is no coincidence that historians call it a model of a colonial city of the 16th century. It created the first among Spanish colonies viceroyalty. The city was the main base from where expeditions of adventurers, churchmen and Spanish soldiers were sent to conquer neighboring countries. The city is famous for the fact that in 1493 the first battle of the Indians with the Spaniards took place in it, as well as the uprising of the local population under the leadership of the cacique Enriquillo, with whom the Spanish king Charles V was forced to conclude an agreement in 1533.
Santo Domingo became the first university city in America, the first cathedral and the first hospital were built here, and it also housed royal residence. In 1508 the city received its own coat of arms. For many centuries, Santo Domingo was subjected to raids and attacks by English and French pirates, was besieged by the famous corsair Francis Drake, who demanded a huge ransom from the townspeople.
In 1936, the capital was renamed in honor of the dictator Trujillo in Ciudad Trujillo and bore this name until 1961.
Santo Domingo is spread over an area of 400 square kilometers along the coast caribbean, having long crossed its natural boundaries along the rivers Osmane in the east, Aine in the west and Isabela in the north, and became one of the largest cities in America. The city is, as it were, divided into squares by the main city arteries intersecting at right angles, therefore, in order to use it, it is necessary to remember the names of the main streets, according to which the Dominicans themselves call addresses: Churchill, Lincoln, Maxime Gomez, Duarte cross the city from north to south; Malecon, Independencia, Bolivar, Mexico, Kennedy and 27 February Street run from west to east.
The majestic buildings in the Gothic style with elements of Romanesque and Arabic architecture testify to the former importance of Santo Domingo as the capital of a large colony. The old town has been declared a cultural heritage of mankind by UNESCO.
The most ancient cobbled street of the New World was named Ladies' Street, because in those distant times it was filled with carriages of court ladies of the vice-queen of the colony, the king's niece and wife of Diego Columbus, Maria de Toledo.
Osama Fortress was built between 1502-1507 by order of Nicolò de Ovando in order to protect the city from pirate attacks. This is fortification- the very first built in the New World.
The Alcazar Palace is located on the esplanade above the Osama River. It was built by the son of Diego Columbus, who became viceroy of the Spanish colonies after Ovando. 1,500 natives, led by a Spanish architect, worked on its construction, extracting from sea depths durable pieces of coral reefs. The palace of 22 rooms with 72 doors and windows was built without a single nail.
The Dominican Museum is one of the richest museums in the country. It houses an exposition that tells about Dominican culture from prehistoric times to the present day. Most of it is devoted to the life of the Indian tribes of the island before the arrival of Europeans: here are objects of pagan cults, amulets. There is also an exhibition of carnival masks, traditional masquerade costumes.
The construction of the Columbus Lighthouse was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America in 1992. It rises on a hill among the Mirador del Este park in the eastern part of the city on the very spot where the first lighthouse, built by Spanish navigators in 1496, once stood.
The oldest central part of Santo Domingo was built up in the 16th century, it is dominated by monuments of the colonial era.
Faro Colon- a lighthouse built on the site of an old lighthouse erected here under Columbus. In the middle of the building is a sarcophagus, in which the remains of the great navigator Christopher Columbus are buried according to his will. The complex is guarded by a naval guard. Faro Colon has a museum that tells about the history of the Dominican Republic.
At night, a beam of bright light emanates from the lighthouse, directed to the sky, it is visible from almost anywhere in the capital. The Faro Colon complex is surrounded by a large park, which has become a favorite vacation spot for Dominicans and guests of the country. Information about the complex is available at.
Alcazar de Colon, or Columbus Palace, is located on the esplanade above the Osama River. The building was erected in 1514 by order of Diego Columbus, the son of Christopher Columbus, from pieces coral reef not a single nail was used in its construction. The building has 22 halls, which contain a unique collection of authentic items of that era: old manuscripts, portraits of the owners, furniture and interior items. Information about the museum - on.
Osama fortress- the first fortress in the New World, built between 1502-1507. In its courtyard rises the Torre del Omenahe tower - a witness to all the most important stages of Dominican history. Rebellious Indians were kept in its dungeons, and during the Republican period, prisoners were sent here. At all times, the conquerors of the Dominican Republic tried to immediately hoist their national flag on the tower of Torre del Omenahe. It is worth visiting the fortress to see the tower, the ruins of the fortress wall, the old arsenal and the house of the influential Dominican Rodrigo de Bastidas, adjacent to the fortress.
In addition to the above attractions, tourists in the capital of the Dominican Republic can see Fort Concepción (XVII century), the Captain's Palace - Casa de Bastidas (XVI century), Sundial (1753), located at the end of Calle des las Damas, the first stone house on the island - Casa del Cordon, the so-called "House of the Sash" (1503), the palaces of Casa del Duarte and Casa Borghella on Isabel la Católica Street, the first fortress of the New World - La Fortalesa (or "Fort of Worship"), the Mint - Casa de la Moneda (XVI century) and the first hospital on the continent - St. Nicholas (1503-1505). It is also worth visiting the National Pantheon, the mausoleum of Baluarte or the "Altar of the Motherland", where the graves of the founders of the Dominican Republic - Duarte, Sanchez and Mella are located.
There are many churches in the city, which is historically conditioned: from here the Christian church intended to bring the light of faith to the natives. The symbol of Santo Domingo is the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, or Cathedral Santo Domingo.
This is a temple erected in honor of the Holy Virgin in 1514-1540. It is the oldest cathedral in America. The building was built of coral-golden limestone. The style of the cathedral combines Gothic and Baroque, with a strong Plateresco influence, which is especially noticeable in the decoration of the altar. Among the treasures of the cathedral is a rich collection of carved statues made of wood, furniture, jewelry and silverware. On the cathedral square stands a monument to Christopher Columbus. In 1990, as part of the architectural colonial complex of the city of Santo Domingo, the cathedral was included in the list world heritage UNESCO.
No less interesting are the Church of San Nicolas (XVI century), the Church of Rechina-Angelorum (XVI century) on Padre Bellini Street, the Dominican Monastery (Los Dominicos, 1510), the Monastery of St. Clara (1522), the chapel of St. Andrew, as well as the church and monastery of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes (1530), where the Academy of Dominican History is now located, etc.
Santo Domingo has many museums. The most interesting of them are the colonial museum of Las Casas Reales (1513-1520), dedicated to the travels of Columbus and the development of Spanish culture in the New World. It is also worth visiting the Dominican Museum, located in the former house of Hernán Cortes, the House Museum of one of the founders Dominican Republic— Juan Pablo Duarte.
Nature Park Los Tres Ojos, or "Three Eyes", is located near the capital of the Dominican Republic. In the park you can visit a zoo, an aquarium, caves with stalactites and stalagmites, grottoes, in which at a depth of 15 meters there are three sulphide lakes with dark blue water, which gave the park its name. In addition, Santo Domingo has a huge number of tropical parks, among which Duarte, Mirador del Sur, Mirador del Este and Columbus Park are the most popular. Noteworthy National Botanical Garden with a rich collection of tropical plants.
Santo Domingo - oldest city America. It is inextricably linked with the history of the conquest of the New World. Here the great discoverer Christopher Columbus found his last refuge - his remains rest in a giant lighthouse on the Caribbean coast. It is believed that the first paved roads on American soil, the university and the Christian cathedral appeared in Santo Domingo.
People come here to get acquainted with the colonial culture - the local architecture retains the features of the Renaissance, Arabic, Gothic and Romanesque styles. This is a place of mixing of European, African and Indian traditions. Bright, noisy, colorful Santo Domingo invites its guests to enjoy tropical beauties, penetrate the mysteries of history, and experience life in the Caribbean style.
How to get to Santo Domingo
Aeroflot, Air France and Jet Blue fly to Santo Domingo. You can get from Moscow Sheremetyevo to the capital's Las Americas airport in at least 15 hours 50 minutes with one transfer in Madrid, New York, Paris or Milan. Air Europe offers a flight with two transfers in Barcelona and Madrid, the journey takes 18.5 hours.
From airport to city
Las Americas Airport is located 35 km from the capital. You can get to the city by bus, you should look for a stop at the exit from the terminal. Flights are every half an hour, but it’s not so easy to get into the cabin because of the large number of people; travel time 40 minutes. Taxi drivers charge about 2000 DOP for a transfer from the airport to the city. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
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How to get around in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is divided by the Osama River flowing here into two parts. Western is considered business and cultural center capital, and the eastern (Santo Domingo Oriental) - historical. Most interesting to tourists the districts are the Colonial Zone, located on the west bank of the river facing the Caribbean Sea. Here, a little to the west, is the old neighbor of Santo Domingo, the Gazcue area with many Victorian-style houses and green streets. In the vicinity of this area are the National Theatre, the Museum on the Plaza de la Cultura, the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) - the modern seat of government, and the Palace fine arts. George Washington Avenue (better known as El Malecon) is home to most of the hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
The central area of western Santo Domingo is the "commercial" heart of the city. This place is known as Poligono Central and is limited by 27 de Febrero, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Maximo Gomez streets. There is little that can be of interest to vacationers, except for the best restaurants and city shops.
In the less developed eastern part of the city, Oriental Santo Domingo, there are other important tourist attractions of the capital: Columbus lighthouse, caves national park Los Tres Ojos and Aquarium. In addition, there are two large parks in the vicinity of the city - the botanical garden (Jardin Botanico) in the north and the Mirador-Sur park in the south (Parque Mirador Sur).
Transport
Almost all the sights of Santo Domingo are within walking distance, but you can also ride on public transport. The Dominican capital has a subway. True, there is only one branch so far, but the launch of the second is expected. Shuttle taxis there are two types here. Minibuses "gua-gua" travel according to the principle of our minibuses, adhering to a given direction, and "carro publico" is a pooled taxi. For fans of riding with the breeze, there is another option - "moto con chauffeur" or a moped with a driver. Cheap, fast, but not always safe.
There are no meters in local taxis, you need to agree on the price with the driver in advance. You should not pay more than 700 DOP for a trip around the city.
Zona Bici is a bicycle rental for tourists in Santo Domingo, offering walking bikes, tandems and bikes for riding with children. In addition to the bike, the bike rental kit includes a helmet, a lock and a bottle of water.
Maps of Santo Domingo
Rent a Car
There are many car rental companies in Santo Domingo - among them are the well-known Budget, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, AutoEurope, Hertz and others. Their offices can be found right at the airport - in the main exit corridor near the North Terminal.
The roads of Santo Diego are not very friendly to motorists, especially not locals - the local drivers drive fast and without regard to the rules, there are often no markings, and the police can be biased. A safer and more profitable option is to arrange trips with some taxi driver. They willingly make contact, take on the role of a guide and help in solving many issues.
The traffic police does not have the right to demand payment of a fine on the spot - a penalty receipt must be issued, which must be carried to the bank.
Fines for traffic violations are low. Only significant speeding is strictly punished. For parking in the wrong place, a fine is also due, and it’s not so easy to figure out where you can still park. It's better to leave the car paid parking- price per hour 100 DOP.
Santo Domingo Hotels
There are plenty of hotels in Santo Domingo and they are mostly concentrated in the center. There are expensive hotels of proven quality - belonging to the Sheraton, InterContinental, Marriott and Hilton chains speaks for itself. You can become their guest for 7500 DOP per day. A room in a regular "three-ruble note" in the Colonial Zone will cost 5000 DOP.
Proximity to the sea affects the depreciation of the number of rooms. When choosing a hotel, you should pay attention to the date of its renovation.
The most expensive accommodation option is boutique hotels located in restored 16th century buildings. An overnight stay under the Roman tiled roofs, surrounded by a recreated historical setting, will cost 17,000 DOP per Double Room. Hostels offer budget accommodation: 700 DOP per person per night.
For beach lovers suitable resort Boca Chica is a 20 minute drive from the capital. This is an area with a developed tourist infrastructure and many hotels on the first line, operating on an all-inclusive basis. A 3* hotel will cost 2500 DOP per night for a double room.
Beaches
In the capital itself, the coast is rocky and there are no beaches, but in its vicinity there are many places for swimming with a typical Caribbean landscape - white sand, azure sea and palm trees. The beaches of the Boca Chica resort are popular, a 25-minute drive from Santo Domingo. The place is suitable for families with children - the depth increases gradually, there are no strong waves. Eateries nearby serve fresh seafood. There is a rental of beach equipment. There are especially many vacationers on weekends.
Entrance to the unfenced part of the beach is free. Sun loungers and umbrellas are paid everywhere - their rent will cost 60 DOP per day.
A 10-minute drive from Boca Chica is Caribe Beach, where, in addition to families with children, lovers of boarding gather. There is always a side wind here. Adults prefer to catch a wave at a depth, while children splash in salty spray in shallow water. Suitable for a solitary holiday picturesque beach Guayacanes - usually only locals rest on it. It is a quiet area without tourist infrastructure.
Juan Dolio is a beach in the resort of the same name, about an hour's drive from the capital. This is a tourist paradise with a lot of entertainment and cafes at every turn. Many coral reefs attract divers.
Diving in Santo Domingo
Diving lovers in Santo Domingo attracts national park"La Caleta". Divers from all over the world come here to visit the Taino cave system, named after an Indian tribe - the ancestors of modern Dominicans. At a depth of 48 m, divers are waiting for complex transitions, winding tunnels, accumulations of stalactites and a halocline - a place where salt and fresh water meet. The local underwater karst caves similar to those that exist off the Yucatan Peninsula.
Of particular interest to divers is the accumulation of ships on the seabed. These are Spanish galleons that sank in the 18th century, and a modern 39-meter expeditionary ship. In the waters of Juan Dolio, at a depth of 30 m lies a 65-meter vessel. All objects are covered with a thick layer of coral and algae formations, and from marine life here you can meet beautiful tropical fish, rays, reef sharks, turtles, starfish and urchins.
Many dive centers offer their services to beginners and experienced divers. The warm Caribbean Sea allows you to comfortably dive all year round, excluding the period from September to November, when strong hurricanes occur.
What to bring
The most anticipated souvenir from Santo Domingo is Caribbean rum, and you can surprise your friends with the exotic local tincture Mama Juana. It contains all kinds of herbal ingredients, honey and rum. "Mamajuana" has a strong tonic effect and is considered an aphrodisiac. The drink is sold both ready-made and in the form of a bag with dry ingredients for self-preparation.
El Conde Street is like our Arbat.
Santo Domingo is the birthplace of the coffee variety of the same name. It is very popular in the country and is considered one of the best in the world. A pack of Santo Domingo can be purchased at any grocery store. Local cigars are also valued, they are no worse than Cuban ones.
A large selection of souvenirs, handicrafts, fruits and products - at the oldest metropolitan bazaar El Mercado Modelo, on the beach all this is much more expensive.
The sky-blue larimar stone is a symbol of these places. It looks especially advantageous in silver jewelry. In order not to run into a fake, you should buy jewelry in specialized stores Ambar Tres and L’Ile Au Tresor. In memory of sunny island they carry cane sugar and natural cosmetics with cocoa butter and coconut.
Cuisine and restaurants of Santo Domingo
The cuisine of Santo Domingo is based on Spanish, African and French culinary traditions. It is based on simple foods - legumes, rice, vegetables, fruits, chicken and pork. Local culinary specialists often cook food on charcoal, wrapping it in banana leaves, so the dish acquires special flavors. Bananas themselves are used not only in desserts. The platano variety is served only fried as a side dish for meat or as an addition to vegetables.
Local eateries are called "comadores". A large portion of "plateau del dia" of rice, meat, legumes and lettuce will cost 250 DOP along with a drink. It is advised to try crabs in cangrejo guisado sauce, sancocho stew, asopao soup. In addition, there are Chinese, French, Italian, Brazilian restaurants.
Authentic street food is cassava casabe, empanada pies, which are prepared in establishments of the same name. You can quench your thirst with freshly squeezed juices. There is a large selection of exotic fruits - mango, pitahaya, passion fruit, papaya, mammon, gunabana, granadilla.
Entertainment and attractions
The main promenade of the capital is Las Damas Street. It is worth walking along its old cobblestones to see the changing of the guard of honor at the National Pantheon, or admire the mansions of the eminent conquerors of the New World. Among the examples of colonial architecture, the Columbus Palace (Alcazar de Colon) stands out - a residence built without a single nail from coral blocks.
The neighborhoods adjacent to Las Damas with Victorian houses and shady alleys are part of the Colonial Zone, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
One of the symbols of Santo Domingo is the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Calle Isabel La Catolica). It was founded by the son of Columbus and is considered the oldest Christian church in America. In the park opposite there is a monument to the great navigator.
The Malecon embankment (George Washington Avenue), stretching for 15 km along the Caribbean Sea, is a place where life boils in the evenings.
On the other side of the Osama River, there is the Mirador el Este park, its high hill is adorned with a monumental building - Columbus Lighthouse (Fara-o-Colon). Inside the memorial, made in the form of a cross, rest the remains of the great discoverer. Not far from the lighthouse is the Park of Three Lakes, named after a natural attraction - three limestone caves with an underground lake, stalactites and stalagmites.
Museums in Santo Domingo
The history of Santo Domingo from the 15th to the 19th century is presented at the Museum of the Royal Houses on the famous Las Damas Street. Exhibits relating to the pre-Columbian era are stored in the Museum of the Dominican Man on Culture Square - its visitors will get acquainted with the culture of the Taino Indians, artifacts ancient world and legacy of colonial influence.
The Amber Museum (official site in English), located on El Conde Street, tells about the history of amber mining on the island. It houses rare specimens of amber fossils and a jewelry collection of amber and larimar. The details of the life path of one of the founders of the state, Juan Pablo Duarte, are introduced in his house-museum (Calle Isabel La Catolica).
Paintings and sculptures are exhibited at the Bellaparte Museum (Av. John F. Kennedy) and the Museum contemporary art(Av. Pedro Henriquez Urena). You can taste the exhibits at the Jamon Museum (Calle Atarazana, 17), the Chocolate Museum (Calle Arzopispo Merino, 254) and the Rum and Sugar Cane Museum (Calle Isabel la Catolica, 261).
Monument to Christopher Columbus - an ancient bronze sculpture depicting the famous discoverer of the American continent. The monument is located in the city of Santo Domingo opposite the Cathedral.
The monument to Christopher Columbus was created a long time ago - back in 1897, but it still amazes with its craftsmanship. The great navigator stands on a high pedestal and points with his hand somewhere into the distance. Just below Columbus is a tiny figurine of an Indian girl from the Taino tribe, which fills the monument with sad symbolism. The fact is that during their reign, the Spaniards almost completely destroyed the local population of the Dominican Republic, so the entire monument is perceived very ambiguously.
Coordinates: 18.47351400,-69.88397400
Presidential palace
The National Palace is the residence of the President of the Dominican Republic. The offices of the executive power are located here, meetings are held at highest level and the most important political and economic issues of the republic are being resolved.
The palace building was built in 1944-47. Italian architect Guido D'Alessandro. The cost of the project was huge for those times: about five million pesos, not counting the furniture and the land on which it is located. The architecture of the building looks somewhat eclectic, but such a concept was an attempt to reflect the cultural, racial, linguistic differences of those peoples who inhabit the Caribbean region. Some heaviness of the external appearance of the palace is compensated by the abundance of windows and doors in its facades. The majestic main entrance is decorated with a solemn colonnade.
The interiors of the National Palace are characterized by the influence of the classical style. In the decoration, local materials were used, the main ones being marble and mahogany. When decorating the premises, bronze, iron, plaster and steel were used, a diverse combination of which gives each individual room an atmosphere of extraordinary beauty and harmony. Especially beautiful are the Hall with Caryatids, the Hall of Ambassadors, the Green Hall. In the palace you can see paintings by artists of the neoclassical, Italian Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Of course, there is no access to the president's private quarters, but the rest of the "public" premises are open for inspection five days a week.
Coordinates: 18.47437900,-69.89774500
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Las Damas street
Calle de Las Damas ("Street of the Ladies") - the very first street in America, built, according to legend, at the request of the daughter-in-law of Christopher Columbus. It began to be built in 1502. The street starts at the fortress of Fortaleza Ozama and stretches to the Alcazar de Colon museum. Its original name is Calle de la Forteleza.
Diego Colón, son of Christopher Columbus, arrived with his wife in Santo Domingo in 1509, and all their court ladies arrived with them. They often walked along Las Damas Street to the temple for mass. Residents of the city constantly watched this company, which slowly walked along the street back and forth in order to take a walk and admire the local architecture. The strolling ladies caused the street to be renamed Calle de Las Damas.
Coordinates: 18.47671900,-69.81468900
Santo Domingo Las Americas Airport has the full name of Jos Francisco Peñ a Gó mez International Airoport. It is the second busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. Most of the flights to Santo Domingo Airport are flights from the USA and Canada. Las Americas is directly connected to the capitals of many Caribbean countries such as Cuba, Colombia and Puerto Rico. In addition, flights from such European countries like Spain, France and Germany. For those tourists from Russia who decide to go to the Dominican Republic on their own and choose Santo Domingo Las Americas Airport as the main gateway to this country, there will be no possibility of a group transfer to the hotel. Therefore, such tourists are likely to have to use taxi services.
Caves of Los Tres Ojos
The name Los Tres Ojos, in fact, applies to an entire protected area. There are a huge number of magnificent and picturesque objects. The local lakes and caves literally amaze the imagination, the landscapes excite the mind, and it is not easy to convey the whole palette of emotions. The name Los Tres Ojos comes from the fact that at a depth of fifteen meters there are three lakes with crystal clear water. The unusualness of this phenomenon lies in the fact that the water in the lakes is very rich, almost unnatural, blue. The water in each lake has a special composition of chemical elements and varies greatly in composition. In one it is fresh, in another it is salty, and in the third it contains sulfur, the vapors of which rise above the water. Previously, tourists were allowed to swim in the ponds, but now, for safety reasons, this is not allowed. But even without this, you will have plenty of impressions from visiting the reserve.
Coordinates: 18.48050500,-69.84309200
National Pantheon
The building of the National Pantheon was built as a church and monastery of the monastic order of the Jesuits in 1747. AT famous building Heroes of the Dominican Republic are buried in marble sarcophagi.
There is always a guard of honor at the entrance to the building. If you wish, you can wait for his change and admire the impressive performance: soldiers are thrown into the air and reload their rifles. Photography is not prohibited here, so tourists can safely capture the moment.
On the facade of the National Pantheon, the figures of the founders, Francis Xavier and Ignatius Layola, are carved. Initially, it was supposed to use the Pantheon as a burial place for heroes for the independence and freedom of the Dominican Republic. For example, a woman is buried here who was able to embroider the first flag by hand. There are also empty sarcophagi intended for future wrestlers.
A large bronze chandelier hangs in the Pantheon - a gift from the dictator Franco, and on the second floor there are forged lattices with a swastika pattern - a gift from Hitler.
Entrance to the building is free, but visitors are not allowed to come in T-shirts and shorts. The National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00.
Coordinates: 18.52416200,-69.75492000
Monument to Governor Nicolás de Ovando
The history of the conquest of Hispaniola and the settlement of its first colonists is very interesting and often dramatic. The turn between the 15th and 16th centuries was a turning point for the New World.
The first colonists, led by Columbus, have already landed on the island. Attempts to establish Spanish settlements in the north of the island were unsuccessful. Fort La Navidad, founded on December 25, 1492, was destroyed by the Indians a year later, along with all the buildings and residents. In January 1494, Columbus founded a second settlement closer to the east - La Isabela (La Isabela), but it also did not last long. Eventually, the Spaniards established the first permanent settlement on south coast which later became the capital of the entire colony. Its growth and development are closely connected with such a legendary figure as Nicolas de Ovando (Nicolas de Ovando, 1460-1511) - the first governor of the New World.
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Bridge at San Pedro de Macoris
The bridge over the Rio Hikuamo in the town of San Pedro de Macoris is the most long bridge in Caribbean region, is 606 meters, of which 390 m falls on the hanging part. It was designed to be resistant to hurricanes - it must withstand wind speeds of 240 km / h.
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