Experience Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone

Visiting the Colonial Zone is a must-do day trip in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. But the day is all the better with a guide. Looking at the gorgeous colorful buildings and plazas is one thing, but understanding the place and its rich and embattled history brings it to life. We were able to visit the city with a very knowledgeable guide, who put Santo Domingo in its historical context gave us a much better understanding of this beautiful island — and got us to question our own history lessons.

Santo Domingo’s Picturesque Colonial Zone

We started at the house of Diego Columbus (Alcázar de Colón) at the Plaza de España. This lovely enormous home (now museum) was constructed in the early 16th century for Christopher Columbus’s son Diego. While we learned in grade school that Columbus “discovered” the Americas, the native Taino inhabitants who were already here probably felt differently. Their experience was of being enslaved and forced into hard labor while being exposed to disease and essentially wiped out of existence.

Alcazar de Colon – A restored version of the original home built in the 16th century. Indigenous Taino “Indians” were enslaved by the Spanish and were forced into hard labor jobs such as constructing the home of Diego Columbus

Prior to Christopher Columbus famous voyage, he had an agreement with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain regarding his exploits on their behalf. He was promised that he would be given the rank of Admiral of the Ocean Sea and appointed Viceroy and Governor of all the new lands he could claim for Spain. He would additionally be granted 10% of all the revenues from the new lands and the option of buying one-eighth interest in any commercial venture and one-eighth of the profits in this venture.

Exterior hall in the Alcazar de Colon

However, rumors of his incompetence and abuses of power reached the Queen in 1502 leading her to dismiss Columbus and call for his arrest. He was returned to Spain in chains and died several years later, penniless and forgotten. His son Diego fought a lengthy legal battle and was eventually successful at having the initial agreement upheld. He went on to become the wealthiest man in the Americas, complete with all of the titles that would have been bestowed upon his father.

The Spanish were not the only to come along and stake claim to the resources within this breathtaking Island. Wealth amassed from the Spanish made the island very attractive to the pirates of the Caribbean who looted passing ships and stored the ill-gotten goods within the natural limestone caves along the coast. Much later, Haiti (newly independent from France) decided to “unite” the island by declaring it under Haiti’s control. They could have asked the Dominicans but would have found that the answer would have been “no.” Even more recently, the United States stopped in to “protect” the island, with its close proximity to the Panama Canal and it’s cushy sugarcane plantations – twice. There were quite a few notable others, but you get the idea…

But having this tumultuous history has also earned Santo Domingo the title of the First Capital of the Americas. The Colonial Zone is home of many reminders of its past and is the center stage of the country’s efforts at revitalization.

Restored remains of the first hospital built in the Americas. Construction of the St. Nicolas of Bari began in 1503.

Convento de los Dominicos was constructed for housing Dominican Monks who first arrived in 1510. You can see the coral stone used extensively as a building material at the time.

Now the Dominican Republic is putting a huge effort into restoring the Colonial Zone and making it a first class tourist destination. Not any easy task after hundred of years of looting, numerous uninvited guests overstaying their welcome and several earthquakes. Despite the obstacles, there is now a pedestrian plaza where you can stroll along and shop or sample the local cuisine. You can even buy a sample of the local drink Mamajuana – a mixture of rum, red wine and honey combined with tree bark and herbs. It’s said to cure all that ails you, or to stop you from caring about whatever ails you, whichever comes first.

Right now, the streets are also getting a huge makeover. One big problem the plagues Santo Domingo are the power and phone lines, making the area looks a bit precarious and chaotic, taking away from the simple beauty of the area. The lines are now being buried underground to make the colonial zone look…..more colonial.

power lines in santo domingos city center

Tangle of power lines in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone

There are many restaurants to choose from in the area, including several in the Plaza España with outdoor seating. We can vouch for the exceptional mojitos at Angelos, which go perfectly with a warm sunny day in the Caribbean.

Refreshing Mojito makes a day in the sun even better

On the way back through town, we stopped at the Chocolate Museum where we got to sample while learning about the important role this delicacy played in the history of this county. Columbus’s son, Ferdinand, wrote of an encounter with the Indigenous Taíno hauling cacao beans and other goods to be traded in 1502. According to Ferdinand : “They seemed to hold these almonds (referring to the cacao beans) at a great price; for when they were brought on board the ship together with their goods, I observed that when any of these almonds fell, they all stooped to pick it up, as if an eye had fallen.” (source: http://www.authenticmaya.com/cacao.htm )

Unfortunately, he witnessed this event while the Spaniards stole all of the goods from the Taíno including the chocolate pods, the canoe they were rowing and the Taíno themselves.

Primitive tools used by the indigenous Taino people for activities such as grinding beans for chocolate at the time of Columbus’s arrival.

A stroll through the Colonial Zone is relaxing enjoyable day, but is less of a complete experience without understanding its past and hopes for the future.

We were provided this tour by Tequia Experiences. Our guide, Paula Soriano, a native to Santo Domingo who is as equally passionate and knowledgeable about her island home. Thank you Paula for showing us this amazing place and giving us a glimpse of Santo Domingo that we would have truly missed if we did not see it through your eyes.