A2Z Languages - Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo - City Guide

History

Santo Domingo is an ancient Caribbean seaport city of firsts, discovered by Christopher Columbus it became the first capital of the new territories , the first to have Spanish coinage, a fort, a monastery, a cathedral, a university, a hospital and a palace.

Santo Domingo is where Madrid's rulers in 1512 set up the highest level of its judicial system since the Middle Ages, the Spanish Colonies' first royal appellate court.

Santo Domingo's old world charisma and Latin charm has blended well into the modern world, resulting in a thriving city of 2 million which offers the best of the old and new. It's rich colonial past is fertile ground for tourists from all over the world.

It was founded in August 1496 by Columbus' brother Bartolome, who moved the temporary capital from Hispaniola's northwest coast. Christopher Columbus set up it's first settlement, Navidad after discovering the island in December 1492. Columbus later established a community he called Isabela in the northwest, which Bartolome later moved to present-day Santo Domingo.

Serving as the base of exploration for the New World discoverer for 17 months, the seaport soon became the center of Spanish activity in the Greater Antilles. Later, Spanish conquistadores used Santo Domingo as the jumping-off point to conquer other lands and explor .

Hernan Cortes sailed to Puerto Rico From Santo Domingo's harbor, Ponce de Leon to launched his attack on Mexico, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa set out on his journey that discovered the Pacific Ocean and Diego de Velazquez went off to settle Cuba.

Santo Domingo's Spanish colonization period, and it's many "firsts" were recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed Santo Domingo the cultural heritage of the New World.

Santo Domingo's numerous museums, restored historic sites and cobblestone streets of the old city take travelers back in time. It's parks and plazas invite travelers to linger. It's ancient churches, cathedral, coastal fortifications and reconstructed Spanish-government buildings tempt one to stay and discover more of the past.

But the tourist can disregard history entirely, if he or she chooses, and merely come to enjoy the city's modern society, music, fine dining, casinos and five-star hotels.

El Malecon,the city's principal waterfront thoroughfare,, is a bustling drive that winds seamlessly through Santo Domingo's ancient neighborhoods and it's modern-day cityscape of high-rise hotels, office buildings, restaurants, outdoor cafes and shops.

Until the 1970s, Santo Domingo was the only place in the country visited by tourists. It is still a big attraction even though major tourist centers have opened around Puerto Plata in the north and the entire Caribbean coastline to the east of Santo Domingo, including its closest beach at Boca Chica, La Romana and Punta Cana.

With its good location in the Caribbean and dozen first-quality hotels and numerous smaller establishments, Santo Domingo draws business travelers and vacationers from around the world. It's excellent cuisine, active nightlife, casinos and historic locales also attract the sun-and-sand tourists throughout the island. The Quincentennial of the discovery of the West Indies, celebrated throughout the world in 1992, was marked in the Dominican capital with the official dedication and lighting of the massive monument to Christopher Columbus. The 800-foot-high stone and marble structure is in the shape of a crucifix, and a system of powerful light beams project the image of a cross in the darkened skies. In the heart of the monument is the Columbus tomb, containing the remains of the explorer. It is surrounded by chapels and museums housing historical treasures and a representative exhibition of all the countries of the Americas. Santo Domingo celebrated it's 500th birthday in August 1998.

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