Zona Colonial, or "Colonial Zone", is a tiny metropolis situated in the city of Santo Domingo. Zone Colonial is the most ancient settlement in "The Americas". Journey down the beautiful streets of this ancient establishment and you are sure to find a plethora of historical buildings, shops, museums, and churches.
1) Altar de la Patria
Altar de la Patria is a mausoleum situated directly in the middle of Independence Park. The mausoleum was created in 1976. The monument was designed to honor and respect those who won the independence of Santo Domingo. Inside the building, tourists will admire the Eternal Flame.
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2) Puerta Del Conde
Puerta Del Conde is a gate also referred to as the "Closed Gate of the Santo Domingo Wall". The gate originally defended the great city, however in the 17th century it slowly witnessed a transformation that make it much more of a landmark than anything else. The Puerta Del Conde was named after Bernardo de Meneses y Bracamonte, who defended and saved the country.
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3) Hospital San Nicolás de Bari
The hospital, which was built around 1508, was also once used as a church. Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, also for quite some time, was the only hospital in the Americas. Fray Nicolás de Ovando, the ruler at the time, established the building as both a physical and mental (worship) healing center.
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4) Palacio Consistorial
The palace was constructed in the 1500s and once served as town hall. Reconstructed over the centuries, Palacio Consistorial now stands as a fabulous example of colonial Baroque architecture. The building is especially notable due to its tall and white clock tower.
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5) Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor
The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo is the oldest cathedral in the Americas, begun in 1514 and completed in 1540. Fronted with a golden-tinted coral limestone façade, the church combines elements of both Gothic and Baroque with some lavish plateresque styles as exemplified by the high altar chiseled out of silver. The treasury has an excellent art collection of ancient woodcarvings, furnishings, funerary monuments, silver, and jewelry. Some historians believe that the remains which used to rest in the cathedral, before being removed to the Colombus Lighthouse, are those of famed navigator Christopher Columbus.
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Sight description based on wikipedia
6) Amber Museum
Famous for it's fantastic collection of amber, Museum of Amber is also known for its phenomenal shopping. Amber is obviously abundant in the gift-shop, making it the perfect souvenir for a special friend. Enjoy the exhibits and hit the gift-shop on the way out.
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7) Panteón Nacional
Also known as National Mausoleum, Panteón Nacional was founded in 1714 and construction finished in 1748. The building has three different sections and was formerly a church. Panteón Nacional is especially popular for its ceiling mural in the main section, as well as for the 36 tombs of unknown Soldiers.
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8) Museum of the Casas Reales
The Museo de las Casas Reales is one of the most important cultural monuments built during the colonial era. According to historians, this monument dates back to the 16th century and was built to house the administration offices of the Spanish colonies in the American Continent.
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Sight description based on wikipedia
9) Alcázar de Colón
The Alcázar de Colón is the oldest Viceregal residence in America and composes part of the "Colonial Zone" of the Santo Domingo World Heritage Site. The building also houses the Museo Alcázar de Diego Colón, which provides a collection of the Caribbean's most important ensemble of European late medieval and Renaissance works of art.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and puroticorico
Sight description based on wikipedia
10) Museum of Juan Pablo Duarte
Juan Pablo Duarte was an important person in Dominican Republic history. Duarte loved his country very much and consequently tried to constantly improve the fantastic region. Duarte never failed to struggle against Haitian domination, thus the museum was created to honor his legacy despite the opposite that he constantly faced.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Abelardo Rodríguez Urdaneta