Catedral Primada de America
Built between 1512 and 1540, the Catedral Primada de America still serves as a venue for official ceremonies and religious celebrations. This cathedral was commissioned by Pope Julius II, and its construction began in 1512 under the supervision of Bishop Fray García Padilla, with numerous architects working on it until its completion in 1540.
In 1586, during the invasion by Drake, this cathedral was used as his headquarters and everything that was of any value was stolen before he and his buccaneers left. Today, the cathedral is open to the public from 8 am to 5 pm, and admission includes a handy audio guide as you walk around.
The ornate, vaulted Gothic ceiling, the 14 interior chapels adorned with different saints, biblical oil paintings and colonial artefacts all make for an interesting tour. As this is a religious building, custom dictates that women must cover their shoulders and knees and men must remove their hats.
Catedral San Felipe
The Catedral San Felipe is located next to the Central Park in Puerto Plata; it was founded in 1502, but was destroyed by fire in 1863. The cathedral was then restored and work was completed in 1956, although some modifications were made in 2008.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons. Copyright Gérard Janot
This Dominican Republic cathedral is an extremely impressive building, with its two iconic towers, seen from the outside, with the inside being just as fascinating. Twelve enormous columns, each depicting an apostle, go from floor to ceiling and the stained-glass window in the centre of the building, representing the Ascension of Christ. There are also magnificent stained-glass windows portraying various biblical passages, as well as beautifully carved, ornate mahogany benches.
The Catedral San Felipe has great religious importance to the Dominicans, proven by the fact that the congregation themselves maintain the building.
Cuevas del Pomier Anthropological Reserve
Located seven kilometres north of the city of San Cristobal, Cuevas del Pomier Anthropological Reserve is a group of 55 unique Miocene caves. Five caves are open to the public, with the main cave being divided into four different areas: Great Edentates, Boinayel, Cohoba, and the Hall of Great Rocks, each with its own history and idiosyncrasies.
These caves contain thousands of symbols, images, engravings and drawings thought to be up to 2000 year’s old. The drawings were painted with a mixture of vegetable charcoal and fat from the manatees, and represent figures of celestial beings, gods and goddesses, as well as birds, fish and other creatures. The drawings are very well preserved, since they are protected from the elements.
Travellers can visit the caves, but must be accompanied by a tour guide and there is also a pamphlet you can purchase, which translates into English what you are seeing while you discover and explore the caves. The tour can take anything from an hour to a full day, depending on your interest.
Fortaleza Ozama
Built in 1502, the Fortaleza Ozama Fortress – located in San Domingo, was the first military construction in the Dominican Republic. It was built to defend the city from the attacks of British, French and Portuguese invaders, as well as from the plundering of pirates.
Over the years, the fortress has been modified and extended and now resembles a medieval castle, with lots of interesting features such as the Puerta Carlos III Gate, erected in 1787 and the striking 18-metre high Tower of Homage, named in honour of the Spanish conquerors.
Fortaleza Ozama was used as a prison up to the 1960s, and housed some political prisoners as well as local criminals. In the 1970s, the prison was closed down and the fort was restored, transforming into a tourist attraction.
The grounds of the fort are also worth exploring, cannons line the perimeter wall and right at the back, there is an old lookout tower. Access to the lower shooting platform can also be gained from the grounds, just go through the gate and down the ramp.
As well as holiday tourists, parties of school children visit the fort and it is also used for art displays and other social activities.
La Isabela
The old town of La Isabela, in Puerto Plata was built on the orders of Christopher Columbus in 1493, to house approximately 1,500 people. Now a national park, the fascinating ruins of the settlement remain, including Columbus’ first home and an original church.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons. Copyright Reimarhoven.
Today, there is an archaeological museum on the site of the ruins, where you can learn about the history of the original town, its buildings and the ways of the first European settlers living here. Not forgetting the chance for travellers to see artefacts and relics relating to that time.
Another of the attractions of La Isabela is the temple of the Americas, also known as the Sanctuary of Jesus Christ the Evangelizer. This quaint church was rebuilt on the ruins of the old one, and an inauguration ceremony was held in 1194 to mark the 500th anniversary of the first mass held at the original church. Inside, there are some relics and beautiful religious images.
As well as the ruins and museum, the park here has a wondrous beach and there are plenty of places to take a break, relax and have a bite to eat.
Laguna El Dudu
The Laguna El Dudu is located on the Cabrera-Nagua highway, near the town of La Entrada, a tourist attraction that brings in thousands of visitors every year. The crater-shaped lagoon is made up of two freshwater lakes, joined by underground tunnels and is an ideal place for diving, although you do need to produce a diver’s certificate.
The main lagoon is accessed via a winding stone stairway. Or, if you are feeling brave, why not hop on the zip line that that runs through the lagoon from end to end, falling into the water from a height of 10 metres?
Laguna El Dudu is a truly amazing place to spend a day. The other lagoon, known as the ‘Well of the Horses’, is smaller and shallower, ideal for swimming and for families with children. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, and there is a wide green area where you can unwind and sunbathe, or play a selection of games.
A restaurant selling tasty snacks and refreshing drinks, as well as restrooms are also available on-site.
Monasterio de San Francisco
The original building of the Monasterio de San Francisco, in Santo Domingo, was originally built in wood in the year 1508 on top of a hill, for the use of the order of San Francisco. Unfortunately, it was set on fire by Francis Drake in 1586 but was later rebuilt in stone, only to be ruined by an earthquake in 1673, and again in 1751.
Once again, it was reconstructed and then used as an asylum before a hurricane meant it had to close in the 1930s. The ruins of the monastery are now protected by a fence, and at night it is a spectacular sight with floodlights illuminating the nooks and crannies of the ruins.
Every Sunday evening, people of all ages gather to listen to live music here and dance the night away. You can purchase drinks and food from one of the street carts or if you prefer, just bring a few drinks and a picnic along with you. The monastery fills up pretty quickly, taking on the truly captivating atmosphere of nearby street parties, where locals and tourists alike venture to for a good time. Hear the wonderful sounds of laughing, dancing and people socialising; the perfect way to spend a Sunday evening.
Monumento de Santiago
The Monumento de Santiago was originally known as the ‘Monument to the Peace of Trujillo’, built during the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo in 1944, as a tribute to himself. At the fall of Trujillo, it was given the name of Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, a name it still retains.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons. Copyright Cheposo
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Situated on the top of a hill, overlooking the city of Santiago, this monument is approximately 70 metres high with a large bronze statue of Angel de la Puz right at the very top. Inside, there are murals honouring the famous Spanish artist Vela Zanetti, ornate, coffered columns and cornices, beautiful marble floors, superb Roca crystal lamps and a staircase with 365 steps leading to the top of the building.
The views from the area surrounding the monument are spectacular; there are many food trucks and cafes open during the day and into the evening when the monument is lit up. Many people choose to come later in the day, mix with the locals or join friends, bring a picnic and just soak up the atmosphere.
National Palace, Santo Domingo
The National Palace, in Santo Domingo was built in the 1940s during the reign of the Dominican Republic’s notorious dictator – Rafael Trujillo. Today, the National Palace houses the offices of the president and his government.
This beautiful building dates back to the mid-twentieth century and is not generally open to the public. However, you are able to admire the impressive architecture from the outside and take some amazing photographs from the gates.
Friendly guards are stationed outside the beautifully landscaped gardens of the palace, and they are usually very willing to pose for photographs. After you have taken your picture-perfect snaps of the palace, why not take a walk around the area where there are some interesting early 20th-century buildings and admire the wonderful views out to sea? There are cafes and restaurants nearby if you want to take a break and have a meal, or just relax with a glass of wine and watch the world go by.
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes was built in 1956, during the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, to showcase the culture and traditions of the Dominican Republic. It was renovated in 2008, and now houses the national schools of dance, dramatic arts, visual art, the National Folkloric Ballet, the Elementary School of Music, the National Classic Ballet and the National Symphony Orchestra.
This famous tourist attraction also houses a fine arts teaching facility, with an exhibition room for artistic and cultural events, comprising of 614 seats. Admission to the Palace of Fine Arts is free, but there may be a charge for individual performances.
This ancient and imposing white, neoclassical building is beautifully built, with its impressive dome and imposing columns, fronted by attractive, well-tended gardens and adorned with palms, shrubs and roses. Once you have finished wandering around, why not take the short walk to Guibia public beach or the Domingo Port?