Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
On Dec. 24, 2009, yes, on Christmas eve, we arrived at our next destination, the beautiful Dominican Republic. I wanted to see the country's capital and so on this day, we signed up for a guided tour of the city. We were glad we did because it was bright and sunny where we went. We later found out at dinner from fellow German travelers that it was very rainy (again) in the opposite side of the country where they took an excursion to.
The coach ride to the city of Santo Domingo took roughly two hours from the dock. We enjoyed it a lot though since we got glimpses of the countryside as well as the neighboring cities and suburbs of the famous capital. We saw beaches along the way with clear blue waters as well as historic buildings and monuments.
Just outside the city center of Santo Domingo, we saw this beautiful monument depicting a Dominican peasant family with a horse drawn carriage. The father was in front pulling and directing the water buffalos, the son sits on the harvested sugar cane, while the mother with food on a grass woven tray on her head walks behind. It reminded so much of a country scene in the Philippines where I am originally from.
The very first cathedral of the Americas named the Santa Maria la Menor at Plaza de Colon
Its construction began in 1514 and it was completed in 1546. It has mostly Gothic architecture with some Romanesque characteristics.
Upon arrival in Santo Domingo, we quickly headed to the several centuries old Santa Maria la Menor Cathedral at Plaza de Colón or Columbus Square. The square was very beautiful not to mention historic. I remember there was a huge duty free shop in front of the cathedral and its employees, all Dominicans of course, warmly greeted me and told me that their boss was also Chinese. I find it very funny that everywhere I go I am mistaken for Chinese even in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Back to the cathedral, a church guide took over. He pointed out many features of the cathedral we otherwise would not have noticed and known. I was impressed by the cathedral. How I wished we had more time to wander around, but I was quite happy with what we saw.
This gentleman was a priest reading verses from the bible when we arrived. That's the main altar of the cathedral in the background.
The main altar of the cathedral up close
The nave of the cathedral
That's me taking everything in. Needless to say, I was impressed.
An oil painting of Nuestra Señora de la Luz or Our Lady of Light
The tomb of the late Dominican Priest and Politician, Fernando Arturo de Meriño. Born January 9, 1833 and died August 20, 1906. He was President of the Dominican Republic from September 1, 1880 until September 7, 1882. He also later became Archbishop.
A Mother and Child oil painting inside the cathedral
A baptismal font and stained glass windows
There were saintly statues like this one inside the cathedral. This particular one holds a box for donations and contributions for a seminary.
A mini chapel within the cathedral
Just like in many churches and cathedrals all over the world, important figures were buried inside the Catedral Santa Maria de la Menor just like this one.
A balcony inside the cathedral with cherubims who seemed to be singing "Do re mi fa so la ti do!"
Another oil painting of the Mother and Child called Nuestra Senora de la Antigua
A manger scene in a small corner of the cathedral commemorating Christmas
The monument of Christopher Columbus in the square named after him in the ZONA COLONIAL or Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo
There are two key figures on this monument. Christopher Columbus is one while the other at the base is the native indian, Taino, appearing to reach out to him. According to another historical source, the native Taino is the Cacica, Anacona (a female), the first indian to learn to read and write.
The inscription in the monument read:
Ilustre y Esclarecido Don Cristobal Colón
While on the metal plaque the following was
written:
Monumento escultorio
En honor al Gran Almirante
Don Cristobal Colón
Descubridor del Nuevo Mundo
Primer Virrey y Gobernador de América
Realizado por el artista
Ernest Gilbert
Inaugurado el 27 de febrero de 1887
A rear view of the Christopher Columbus monument with the facade of the Hard Rock Cafe in the background
There were hordes of tourists in the Zona Colonial visiting the historical sites of the area
This is my group on the way to the Museo de Colón
The Calle de las Damas is the first cobblestone street ever constructed in the New World. A walk through it brings visitors to the past with all the centuries old houses and buildings. There were lots of souvenir shops, galleries, restaurants and the like here too.
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The former residence of Hernán Cortes now the site of the Embassy of France
Info about the site where the Embassy of France is located
The Pantheon which we visited last on our tour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo
The Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
El Reloj de Sol
Reaching the Museo de Colón at Plaza De España
The Museo de Colón which used to be the palatial residence of Diego Colón
Info about the site of the Museo de Colón
In front of the Museo de Colón
Scenes inside the museum
Los Reyes Católicos de España:
La Reina Isabel la Católica
A view of a fort from the balcony of the Museo de Colón
The Mausoleum or El Panteón Nacional de la Patría
Here lie in state the remains of the most important Dominicans who ever lived.
it was built between 1714 and 1745, originally built as a Jesuit Church (Iglesia de los Padres). During the church's history, it was used as a tobacco warehouse, housing for the San Fernando Seminary, public offices, and a theater for the independence fighters in 1860.
The late Dominican President, Rafael Trujillo, turned it into the National Mausoleum or Panteón Nacional last 1956. It is the resting place of many outstanding and great Dominican heroes.
The seal of the Government of the Dominican Republic
Scenes inside the pantheon:
The chandelier, Spain's gift, hanging from the central cupola of the pantheon
The burning flame inside the pantheon
A way bigger view of the burning flame
The ceiling of the pantheon
A tad bigger view of the painted ceiling of the pantheon
The flags of the Dominican Republic
The tomb of a famous statesman, one of the many inside the mausoleum
The golden crucifix above the tomb
The altar
Of course, a tour is not a tour without the compulsory visit to a souvenir store. Frankly, this was my least favorite part of an otherwise wonderful visit to Santo Domingo. There were hundreds of paintings from Haiti being sold here. Marc and I left as soon as I purchased more postcards.
The Mercado Colonial
It was located right smack in the city center very close to the Plaza de Colón where our tour began in the morning.
A view of the tower building right outside the Mercado Colonial
We went to the nearby galleries which had much better artwork for sale. In fact, we visited one owned and run by an American lady expatriate. This was the store's sign.
The decorated door of the main entrance to the Gallery by Maria Toledo
There were many vendors selling all sorts of trinkets. Many of them were very young boys like the one above who shined shoes for a small fee.
A beautiful fountain in the shopping area we were in.
Marc waiting for the coach that was to take us back to the ship at the Plaza dedicated to the late Colonel Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deño
The monument erected in honor of the late Colonel Francisco Alberto Camaño Deño
On the way back to the ship, we passed by this very huge building called the Columbus Lighthouse. It is said that the remains of Christopher Columbus are buried here. It was super imposing.
We had a wonderful stay in the Dominican Republic. I want to go back some day. There is still so much to explore in this tiny but beautiful island in the Caribbean. There's Altos de Chavon and the beaches of Punta Cana I want to see.
Anyway, next stop, The US Virgin Islands. A return trip for both Marc and me after 13 years.