Zona Colonial - Old Town, Santo Domingo

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Plaza España is the large, open area that rounds off the fanciest and best preserved parts of the Zona Colonial (after Calle de las Damas). It also is the location of the Museo de las Casas Reales and the Alcazar de Colón. The Plaza is a favourite local hangout for children and, after dark, for Dominicans of all ages, somewhat like the Malecon in Havana. On the southern edge, across from the Museo, you'll find an interesting sundial from the 1700s that was designed in such a way that bureaucrats from the Colonial administration would be able to tell the time by simply looking out the window. Farther along that side of the Plaza is Puerta San Diego, intended to be an entrance to the fortified city from its port. The opposite end of the Plaza has several high-end restaurants and tourist boutiques, including the Museo del Jamón (Ham Museum), definitely something unique for Santo Domingo.

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The colonial zone is a great place to visit, comprising some of the oldest buildings in Latin America. Many of the buildings are still in use. There are tourist guides who for a small tip will tell you the history of many of the important buildings, some of the history is quite amazing. Be prepared to take loads of pictures. And if by the end you are tired and hungry you can go to one of the restaurants in the area which are not expensive at all.

The San José Fort was constructed in the 17th century after the English, led by Drake, invaded Santo Domingo. The English were obviously expelled, but the Spanish administration felt that it needed greater protection for the city's coastline and thus ordered the construction of the Fort. It now consists primarily of about 100 metres of the city walls. There isn't much to see of it, but it is still interesting to take pictures of and is and the way from the Fray Montesinos Monument to the Cathedral. Alternatively, if you walk west along the Malecón into the city, its a good end point for your seafront tour.

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The Plaza of the Priests, which is just behind the Catedral de Santa María de la Encarnación, is a delightfully peaceful plaza set off from the hustle and noise of the Parque de Colón. It was once a cemetary, but was disrupted during the English occupation and the reign of Drake. Today it is no longer a place of the dead and you can wander freely and take as many photographs as you like. If you enter from the south side (Padre Billini) you will have to pass through the Alley of the Priests - so named since it leads from the Cathedral to the priests' quarters. It really is a beautiful and peaceful walkway, with Islamic arches and bougainevillea growings along the sides.

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There is little that remains of the Monasterio San Francisco, built by the Franciscan order starting in 1544. This is because the originally building and its reincarnations have seen several earthquakes and an assault by the English under Drake. The Gothic portal leads to the Chapel of the Third Order, which was built in 1704. Today the ruins, which still have the same pretty pink coral stone, are used mainly as a backdrop for bridal photography, but in the 1800s this place had a less savoury use as an insane asylum. The grounds of the monastery itself are ok, but the parks around are filled with the destitute and homeless who may harass you for money as you photograph the ruins.

Visit the colonial district of the first European city in the Americas!
Walk through the famous El Conde (pedestrian street), until you get to the Parque Colon and the Catedral Primada de America, the first church in the New World.

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The center of the city has retained many beautiful buildings inherited from the colonial times. Walking along these streets is a wonderful experience!

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This is supposed to be the oldest street in the city. Here are a national panteon and a palace occupied by Cortez before he went to Mexico, among many other ancient structures.

scattered about the streets of Santo Domingo are many ruins of buildings and archways etc. You'll find amongst these many great opportunities for some great pictures.

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The center of the city has retained many beautiful buildings inherited from the colonial times. Walking along these streets is a wonderful experience!