Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
Today I was going to spend the day exploring the historical zone of Santa Domingo called Zona Colonial, which is the historical district from the time of Columbus. After breakfast I left around 1030 while the heat was still manageable.
Walking down Calle Condo the pedestrian street I started by Cathedral Square which had a tourist walking map. The Cathedral requires a ticket to enter but is closed to visitors today on Sundays. I could only look from the roped off entrance.
Next I followed the walking route to Iglesia de los Dominicos. There was some parade that was about to begin soon but I didnt want to wait long in the heat.
A block down was Casa de Tostado a wealthy residents home. Entrance was 100P ($2). There were many period furnished rooms.
From the upper floor you could look down at the parade that was now taking place.
A block down by the waterfront was the fortress Fortaleza Ozama. Entrance was 70P ($1.50). A guide wanted to show me around which kept happening so I told him no.
I was looking for the French Embassy and Cortez house which was marked on google maps though they are sometimes in the wrong position. Locals didnt know either. I found the French Embassy next to the Panteon which is not a museum but now used as a cultural office.
I was now on Calle les Damas. This is named ladies street as the Queen during her visit walked down with her ladies in all their fine wear. It was the first European street in the Americas.
The Panteon had free entry. Perhaps Presidents are buried here. There were guards with the eternal flame.
Next was the Casa Reales for 100P ($2) entry. This was a very historical musuem with two wings on two floors.
The midday heat was baking now. Across the plaza was the Alcazar for another 100P entry ($2). This was the home of the son of Columbus who was married to the niece of the King of Spain.
Again there was more period furniture over two floors and nice sea breezes from the open windows.
A couple of blocks in were two ruins. First was a monastery spanning a whole city block though the grounds are closed to visitors. The second is the first hospital in the Americas though it is overrun with pigeons splattering their droppings.
That evening I went for a stroll. The 8pm ferry to Puerto Rico was leaving which I would be taking on Thursday. The plazas were also crowded with families now the heat had gone down.
Next morning I explored places on the western end of Zona Colonia closer to my hotel. First was the Puerta de la Misericordia the south gate. Back by my hotel at the end of Calle Condo is the Parque Indepencia.
Here some ceremony was taking place which they do twice daily as I would hear from my hotel balcony each day.
Finally a 20 min walk more west in the heat was the Presidential Palace though it is closed to visitors except for special days.
See also vlog of historical sights - https://youtu.be/kF5QfvVX3EU
2025-05-23