In this experience we will visit each iconic place in the tourist center of Santo Domingo and we will be providing information in great detail and taking the relevant time.
What To Expect
1 – Parque Colon We start the tour in the Parque Colón, the main place or entertainment square of the Colonial City surrounded by important monuments such as the First Cathedral of America, the first City Hall of Santo Domingo, Calle el Conde, famous restaurants, shops, among others. In the park there is a statue of Christopher Columbus erected by the French sculptor Ernesto Gilbert in 1887.
2 – Catedral Primada de América de Santo Domingo It is a cathedral and minor basilica dedicated to Santa María de la Encarnación that is located in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. Its official name is Santa Iglesia Catedral Basilica Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Encarnación or Annunciación. It is located between Arzobispo Meriño and Isabela La Católica streets, next to Parque Colón; leaving its main door to the west, in front of Arzobispo Meriño street, almost at the corner of Arzobispo Nouel. The cathedral of Santo Domingo is the oldest in America, built by order of Pope Julius II in 1504. Headquarters of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, its construction began in 1512, under the pastoral government of the first bishop of Santo Domingo.
3 – Panteon Nacional. It is a mausoleum where the remains of prominent figures in the history of the Dominican Republic are preserved. The National Pantheon has around 36 empty spaces to house future heroes. There is also an empty space without a plaque, dedicated to the unknown soldier. There is a permanent guard of honor, made up of members of the presidential guard, dressed in gala, without moving a single muscle. One of them makes a solemn round walk in the central aisle, which goes from the main entrance to just in front of the main altar. In the pantheon, together with the Dominican flag, the flags of the Air Force, the Navy and the Army of the Dominican Republic are displayed.
4. – Museo De Las Casas Reales. The Museum of the Royal Houses or Royal Palaces, as it was called during the time of the captaincy general and the province, had two palaces as its headquarters, which date back to the 16th century. This royal palace was built by order of the Crown of Castile, in the reign of Fernando II of Aragon, on October 5, 1511, in order to house the main government offices of the time. This was called the Building of the Royal Houses, since the Royal Court was located there, which was the first court in the New World, it was also used as the Residence of the Governors and General Captains of the time, this second was called the Captaincy General. This building served as a home for people such as Bartholomew Columbus, Louis Ferrand, among others.
4 – Alcazar de Colon The Alcázar de Colón was built between 1511 and 1514, following the influences of the existing one in Mancera de Abajo, in Salamanca (Spain), of which ruins are still preserved. The name of the architect who carried out the construction of this fortified palace is unknown. Mostly Gothic-Mudejar in style, the Alcázar also has some Renaissance features, notable in its arcades, as well as Elizabethan style observable in the tassels that adorn it. The building was built using masonry of coral rocks. Originally the residence had 55 rooms, of which only 22 remain.
5 – Columbus Lighthouse (Faro A Colon) It is a cross-shaped monument (remembering the Christianization of the Americas) that measures approximately 800 meters long by 36.5 meters high.1 It is said that the remains of Admiral Christopher Columbus are housed, a fact that It has been proven false due to confirmation by genetic analysis of the aforementioned remains found in the Cathedral of Seville.2 When the headlamp is on, it casts a cross-shaped light into the night sky. This light can be seen from approximately 64 kilometers away, but it causes problems with the electricity supply of the surrounding neighborhoods. It is the reason why it is only turned on on special occasions.
6 – The 3 Eyes National Park In this national park we will find one of the best kept natural secrets of the city, its four lakes are: – Sulfur Lake: This is the first lake that we can see since we entered. Its name is due to the fact that at its bottom you can notice a whitish substance and therefore the people who went to this place thought that it was sulfur. – La Nevera: It is the third lake that we can see, its name is due to the low temperatures it reaches and that it never receives sunlight. Its temperature ranges between 15°C and 21°C. – The Lake of the Ladies: It is the second lake that we get to see, its name is due to the fact that it was previously used as a spa and because of its discreet location and because it is shallow, it was reserved for women. It is 2.5 meters deep at its deepest part. Los Zaramagullones: This is the fourth lake, its name is due to a species of amphibious ducks that are native to the area. It has a natural vegetation that surrounds the lake.
Read more about Half Day Excursion Colonial Zone Lighthouse to Colón and Tres Ojos from Santo Domingo – https://www.viator.com/tours/Santo-Domingo/Half-Day-Excursion-Colonial-Zone-Faro-a-Colon-and-Tres-Ojos/d5622-248365P4?mcid=56757