Built in 1823 by Governor Jerónimo Borgellá, it initially served as the seat of government. The brick building, featuring a double gallery design, is similar to the Alcázar de Colón.

• In 1844, it housed the Court.

• From 1942 to 1960, it served as the Senate headquarters.

• In 1978, its exhibition hall hosted the Higher School of Painting and Sculpture.

• The palace was originally commissioned by Diego Colón in 1514.

Today, the Colonial Zone is home to restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

Built in 1823 by Governor Jerónimo Borgellá, this building also served as the government headquarters. Like the Alcázar de Colón, it features a double gallery brick design.

Over the years, it has served multiple purposes:

• 1844: Functioned as the Court.

• 1942-1960: Senate headquarters.

• 1978: Exhibition hall for the Higher School of Painting and Sculpture.

Commissioned by Diego Colón in 1514, today the plaza houses restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

It is the first fortified European palace built in the Americas. Located in the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, it is part of the Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between 1510 and 1514, the palace is predominantly Gothic with Renaissance influences.

Installed in 1753 in front of the Government Palace by order of Governor Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda, this vertical sundial shows time in two sections:

• East side: Displays morning hours.

• West side: Displays afternoon hours.

The angle of the sundial was designed so that the judges of the Royal Court could see the time from their windows.

Construction plans were based on designs by architect Alonso de Rodríguez and initiated in 1514 under Pope Julius II. Work was later resumed in 1522 under architects Luis de Moya and Rodrigo de Liendo, with intervention from Bishop Alejandro Geraldini.

• Inspired by the Seville Cathedral, the structure was partially completed by 1540 under architect Alonso González.

• The final push for completion came under Alonso de Fuenmayor, and the cathedral was consecrated on August 31, 1541.

• In 1546, Pope Paul III elevated it to “Metropolitan and First Cathedral of the Americas.”

• In 1920, Pope Benedict XV further raised its status to “Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Annunciation.”

The cathedral features a cloister sector on its southern side, built in the late 16th century, similar to the Salamanca Cathedral in Spain.

Construction of the bell tower was halted in 1547 after it was found to be taller than the Fortress Tower, causing unrest among the guards. The cathedral also served as Sir Francis Drake’s headquarters during his 1586 invasion, during which it was looted.

The Casa del Cordón is one of the oldest stone buildings in Santo Domingo, probably the first two-story house in the Americas. Its name comes from the cord decoration on its facade, associated with the Franciscan Order.

Built in the early 16th century, the home of Rodrigo de Bastidas was located next to the Fortaleza Ozama, built by Ovando.

• Rodrigo de Bastidas was a Spanish explorer who founded Santa Marta in Colombia and played a key role in the early colonial administration of Santo Domingo.

• Following his tragic death in 1527, the house was inherited by his descendants and remained in the family for over a century.

Built in 1520, this complex housed the Palace of the Captains General and served as the residence of the Governor and Royal Court.

• Restored in 1976, in preparation for the visit of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain.

• The museum displays colonial relics up to the 1821 declaration of independence from Spain.

• The museum holds the only known coat of arms of Queen Joanna of Castile (“Juana la Loca”).

Built in 1505, this was one of the earliest houses in the city. Francisco Tostado de la Peña, a wealthy landowner and colonial official, owned numerous sugarcane plantations.

Santa Bárbara Church:

• Built before 1562 on a site used for quarrying stone for the city walls and monuments.

• Severely damaged by earthquakes in 1571, 1673, and 1684.

• Burned by Sir Francis Drake in 1586.

Las Mercedes Church:

• Built between 1527 and 1555.

• Attacked by Francis Drake in 1586.

• Rebuilt in 1635, but suffered significant damage in later earthquakes.

Founded in 1510, this Dominican convent was the site of the first university in the Americas (Santo Tomás de Aquino University, 1538).

• Fray Antón de Montesinos delivered his famous Advent Sermon here, condemning the mistreatment of indigenous people.

• The convent was repurposed as a military barracks during the Haitian occupation, leading to severe damage.

Built between 1560 and 1564, financed by María de Arana, a noblewoman who sold all her possessions to fund its construction.

Originally called Bastion of San Genaro, this 17th-century fortress served as the main entrance to Santo Domingo.

• Named in honor of Count Peñalva, who defended the city against the 1655 English invasion.

• Used as a bullring in 1880 and converted into a public park in 1912.

• Features a bronze wind rose marking “Kilometer 0”, the official starting point for measuring distances in the Dominican Republic.

Built in 1543, this was the first gate of the city’s walls.

• Site of the first declaration of Dominican independence in 1844.

• Ramón Matías Mella fired the legendary “Trabucazo de la Independencia” (Independence Gunshot) here.

Built between 1509 and 1560, this Franciscan monastery was the first in the Americas. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.

Founded in 1503, this historic hospital was the first in the New World.