Statue of Fray Anton de Montesinos, Santo Domingo

The Statue of Fray Antón de Montesinos stands as one of Santo Domingo’s most compelling public monuments, offering visitors a striking reminder of the early debates on human rights in the Americas. Unveiled in 1983 and located along the Malecón, the monument commemorates the Dominican friar whose 1511 sermon openly condemned the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples under Spanish colonial rule. His words, delivered from the pulpit of Santo Domingo’s Convento, challenged the moral foundations of the colonial system and marked a defining moment in the history of social justice in the New World.

Designed by Mexican sculptor Antonio Castellanos Basich, the statue rises dramatically above a stepped platform, capturing Montesinos mid-address with an outstretched arm that seems to project his message across the Caribbean Sea. The monument’s scale and expressive form give it a strong visual presence, making it one of the most recognisable landmarks on the waterfront. Visitors often pause here not only for the coastal views but also for the chance to reflect on the friar’s legacy, which continues to resonate throughout Dominican and Latin American history.

The surrounding area offers ample space to appreciate the sculpture from different angles, and its position near other points of interest along the Malecón makes it easy to include in a leisurely seaside walk. For those exploring Santo Domingo’s layered past, the statue of Fray Antón de Montesinos provides a compelling link between the city’s colonial origins and broader conversations on justice, conscience, and cultural identity.