Santo Domingo

Dominican capital of Santo Domingo - a modern multi-faceted city. City of Santo Domingo de Guzman founded illustrious Governor of the Border lands Bartolomeo Columbus in 1496. In 1990, the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo was declared by UNESCO "Cultural Heritage of Humanity. City Center - is more than three hundred monuments of the colonial era, carefully protected. Located in the heart of Santo Domingo, you can introduce yourself next to Diego Columbus, Maria Toledo, and court ladies, or hear the story of the leader Enriquillo, "decent and fair man" who signed the first peace treaty between the American Indians and the Spaniards. The colonial city, built in 1502 by Nicholas Ovando, is the oldest, central part of Santo Domingo. Walking along the streets of Las Damas, you will meet along the way Fort Worship, simply called La Fortaleza (Fortress). This - the first fortress of the New World. It also houses the Casa de Bastidas, otherwise - Captain's Palace, and Casa de Ovando, known for its gateway to the Gothic style of Queen Isabella, the only ones in the world. In the area of Spain stands Fortress Columbus - house where Diego Columbus, son of the great discoverer. The palace was built in Gothic style with elements of Arab architecture (style "Mudejar") and is framed in a luxurious tropical undergrowth, emphasizing its beauty. On the street Isabel la Catolica has one of the symbolic buildings of the island - the temple of Santa Maria la Menor, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, patroness of America, Borgelya Palace, the majestic ruins of San Francisco, Casa del Duarte, and the Church of Santa Barbara. On the street Padre Bellini are such historic buildings as the Church of Regina-Anhelorum, built over 200 years ago, the house of the mysterious man in a mask - Casa del Tapa, the church of the Dominicans - Los Dominikos, the building of the first University of America, the Casa del Tostado, the Church of Santa Clara (Santa Clara), Mint - Casa de la Moneda and other monuments. Santo Domingo - a young city, full of life, entertainment and surprises. Visit the most interesting places of the city. National Aquarium (avenida Spain) - a truly unique spectacle. Passing clear passageway between the walls of the aquarium, you feel immersed in the underwater kingdom inhabited by multicolored fish of various species. Botanical garden produces the same impression. It is a green oasis in the heart of the modern city, breathing odors more than 300 species of orchids, which recreates all the natural areas of the tropics. Park Mirador del Sur, a popular place for urban recreation and family picnics in the open air. At night all going to a disco in the park, set up in the famous cave of the tribe of Taino Indians, decorated with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. Fortress of Columbus (Square of Spain) - a luxurious building dating back to the court the son of Christopher Columbus - Diego. The secret beauty of this grand palace lies in the harmonious combination of styles of Spanish Gothic and Italian Renaissance. Museum of the Royal Court, which reproduces the life of the colonial era, before the habits and manners of governors, underwater treasures are on display, reveals the innermost secrets of cooking sugar. Dominican museum Rights (the area of Culture), which is how the civilizations of pre-Columbian era and local folklore - carnival masks, voodoo rituals "Voodoo", life Taino Indians. Leaving Santo Domingo, the capital, visit the shops that would buy as a souvenir of travel souvenirs. Shops Santo Domingo offers the best products of local handicrafts. Shops crafts and boutiques focus on Cathedral Square and the streets Conde. There are also many shopping centers: Plaza Central, Diamond Mall Plaza Naco and others. A model on the market (in translation from Spanish - "Model"), you can buy amber and blue stone larimar, shell-pearl, fruits, carpets, black corals, clothing. The market rages own life, full of fun and surprises.