Museo de las Casas Reales - Royal Houses Museum, Santo Domingo

4 more images

This building completed in 1520, was the office of the Governor General of the West Indies and office of the Royal Audiences. The complex has been a museum since 1976. It houses Santo Domingo's artifacts in the Hispanic period.

2 more images

Museo de las Casas Reales (The Museum of the Royal Houses) was built in the beginning of the 16th century.

The building was once the colonial administrative centre for all the Spanish West Indies, and was housing the Royal Court, Treasury and Office of the Governor.

Today Casas Reales is a museum featuring Colonial era artifacts, including a re-creation of the governor's receiving room, maps, weapons and military uniforms. In addition to pre-Columbian art you can see the main artifacts of two galleons sunk in 1724 on their way from Spain to Mexico.

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm (Mondays closed).
Admission fee: 10 peso for children and 50 peso for adults.

4 more images

This museum exhibits Dominican history from 1492 to 1821. Built by order of the Spanish monarchy, it was meant to be the seat of the Royal Court (Real Audiencia), General Accountant's Office (Contaduría General) and Palace of the Governors and General Captains (Palacio de los Gobernadores y Capitanes Generales) - institutions to run the country and newest Spanish acquisition.

The building is the same the Spaniards built and some of the rooms in there are exactly the way they were, with the furniture, decor, etc that the Spaniards used. Some artifacts from those times are also being displayed, being the piece I like the most a map showing Christopher Columbus' 4 trips to the New World. Each trip has a light of a different color (even tho you can't tell from my picture).

Practical info: open Tue-Sun 9am-5pm. Closed on Mondays, Good Friday, Christmas day and New year's day. Admission 30DOP for tourists and nationals.

Pardon my bad translation into English.

4 more images

The Museo de las Casas Reales, for the fact that it contains the museum of the colonial administration's presence in Santo Domingo. The Museum is an interesting one, although slightly repetitive with its numerous displays of everyday items of the aristocracy of Santo Domingo. Still, there are exhibits of the history of the colonization and the importance of Santo Domingo in the exploration of the Americas, as well as meaningful explanations of the horrors of the slave trade and the local economy. The upper floors of the building contain a more detailed account of the lives of governors and their families, with furniture and offices restored to their usual settings. The second floor also has a fine collection of colonial and later weaponry.

The actual structure of the Museo de las Casas Reales is interesting as well. It was built between 1503 and 1520 and contained the administrative centre for las Índias occidentales, the high court, Treasury and office of the Governor.

This museum (the best in my opinion) is housed in the former administration building of the Spanish West Indies. The premises are immaculate, and the eclectic exposition (and the building itself) is quite interesting.

This interesting museum is right next to the Alcazar. In this courtyard wedding ceremonies can be performed and one was in preparation when we visited. We found it quite a beautiful and romantic place and wouldn't mind to renew our wows there some day. Just out of curiousity we asked one of the curators how much a wedding ceremony there costs but she didn't know. Well, I guess it's very expensive.

Built in 1509, the Museum of the Royal Houses was the seat of the Audiencia Real, the powerful Supreme Court of the New World. Today is an interesting museum where you can admire treasures salvaged from sunken Spanish galleons, reproductions of Columbus ships and an impressive weapons collection belonged to Trujillo, the dictator who governed the Dominican Repubic from 1930 to 1960.
In front of the museum there is the Reloj del Sol, a sundial dating back to 1753 and built in order that the officers could watch time from the windows of the Royal Houses.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 9am-5pm. On Sunday 10am-1,30pm.

Located right beside the Alcazar de Colon and the main historical square.

This is a nice and small museum dedicated to the history of the Spanish discovery of America and Dominican Republic.

Besides being a museum, they provide activities focused for kids, such as:

- Painting classes.
- Art movies club.
- Social activities and service.

A nice option for your kids while you're at work, in case you travel with them.