An interesting story about the US occupation/ intervention of Dominican Republic with some pictures. (the shorter version without pictures)

The Fortress of Santo Domingo also known as Fortelaza Ozama (Ozama is the Taino word for navigable waters or wetlands). is considered to be one of the oldest of its kind on the entire American continent. It was built between 1502 and 1508. This fort extended from the eastern to the western bank of the Ozama River/Rio Ozama. The Governor Frey Nicolas de Ovando, the founder of the city of Santo Domingo, is the one who personally chose this spot for this military instillation. It was built by the labor of  the African and Taino slaves as was most of the buildings of this era. Its strategic location gives it a perfect view or anyone gaining entry to the city. It overlooks both the Ozama River and the Caribbean Sea from high on its steep bank. This is where was witnessed all the departures of all the great expeditions to other regions of the Americas. It was built to defend the city against attack by marauder and pirate, which was very common happening at this time. The perfect placement of the fort made it such a formidable stronghold that it was never seized by force, even though many attempts were made.

It is considered to be "The Axis of the Conquest". It was built by the Spaniards after they finished exploring the entire island.

Master builder Gómez Garcia de Varela was responsible for the building of this fort in all its stages. First was the erection of the tower. Then came the shooting platforms and the main defensive fort. As time passed new facilities were added and old ones modified as needed.

The walls encompassing the fort are three meters thick except  the one that borders the river. This wall is only one meter thick. This was done so that if there was an explosion it would explode outward to the river restricting the possible damage. The second wall built when the port was put in is to keep the water from the river out. The dredge that was taken out of the port was used to make the land on which the highway now runs.

It is very cool inside the building because of its thick walls. This makes the climb to the top of the tower a pleasant experience even when done during the mid-day heat. All was made of coral rock which is a good moisture absorber. The cement was made of gypsum, clay, lime and the blood of animals and became stronger as time went on.

This fort was used as a prison up to the 1960s when it was restored and opened to the public. The local Colonial Zone police station is directly inside the gate where all the criminal element of the Colonial Zone are taken and held  temporarily.

Tour guides hang out at the gate if you would like a guided tour. You can go in unguided but a guide can explain so much of the history it is worth the small price you will pay. It costs $30 pesos per person to enter and about $200 for a guide to take you, more or less. (price as of 11/07)

1) The Door of San Diego/Puerta de San Diego and Portal de la Fortaleza/The Gate of the Fortress. This is the entrance to the fortress. This, the original entrance, dates from 1557-1564. The doors, The Gate of Charles III, that are still here now came almost 2 centuries later in 1787. Made from imported African ebony these were built during the reign of the king for which it is named. It was built when there was much economic prosperity thus its elaboratness. They wanted it to be impressive as this was main entry to the fort, the first thing all visitors saw. When you enter this magnificent gate you can't help but to be impressed. Just imagine how it might have felt to enter and see the imposing tower and military buildings beyond the gate. All the activity happening inside during its hey day. The great arcade and garden they first saw when entering the gate

It is interesting to note holes in the doors are from bullets fired during the USA's invasion in 1965

2) The Statue of Oviendo is in bronze in 1977 by Joaquín Vaquero Turcios, a Spanish artist. It is to honor Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo who was the governor of the fortress and also warden of the prison from 1533 to 1557. Under his administration the city reached its most brilliant period in its history. This because every captain, military person, chief, discoverer and conqueror all visited him in his office for advice because of Oveindos geographical and administrative knowledge. The legend states that when he was killed he held the  keys to the gaol and they had to be pried from his hand. He was the first chronicler of the Indies and he had an official title and salary. He wrote "Historia General y Natural de las Indias" while holding his paid post under His Majesty Charles V.

3) The Tower of Homage/Torre del Homenaje resembles a medieval castle. It is the oldest fortress in the Americas and was build by Nicolás de Ovando in 1503. Ships were hailed form the top of this monstrous looking building. It has very little ornamentation and very serious and sobering. This tower with its 2-meter thick walls was the tallest building (18m) in the entire colony in the 16th century  It is the only building of its type in the New World. Its main gate faces north where is the remains of the coat of arms of Charles V which the Haitians tried to remove during their occupancy, but somehow this was saved. The north wing was the residence of the warden. Don Diego Colon, Admiral Christopher Columbus' son, and his wife, Doña Maria of Toledo (she was a relative of King Ferdinand the Catholic) stayed here while his new home was being built. The family lived on the second floor and the servants lived on the first. It was also a prison where many political figures were jailed. Peña Gómez, Juan Bosch and Bienvenido Peynado all had the distinction of being incarcerated there. This monstrous building surrounds an interior courtyard where many different rooms used for different functions opens onto. In this courtyard of the tower is the dungeon where Juan Pablo Duarte was confined during the Haitian occupation. During the Trujillo era prisoners were  incarcerated here. The South wing held an arsenal and a cistern.

Sights Index | You Are Here - Sights Page 1

El Fuerte de Santa Bárbara / Fort of Santa Barbara

The north section of the city did not have walls up until 1686 so building this fort was an important step in the fortification of the city.  This fort was the third stage of protection in the city. Construction was started in the early 1540's. It was built in 3 different phases with the final one ending in the early 1700's. The final phase is said to have been designed by an Italian builder and a Spanish stone cutter and build with the man power of slaves.

The end of the 17th century brought constant attacks to the all the Antilles Islands. This fort was a bunker facing the mouth of the river thus giving it an excellent view of the entry port. Inside the Fort of Santa Barbara is the Iglesia de Santa Bárbara / Church of Santa Barbara

Contact: 809-682-3307

Directions: Av. Mella, between Calle Isabel la Católica and Calle Arzobispo Meriño (both of these streets lead to this monument), Zona Colonial

Return to index | Continue to sights page 2

Our complete exchange rate tool can be found here

Home | Calendar | Events | Transportation | Maps | Hotel | Night Life & Dining | Sight Seeing | Pictures | Businesses | Artists | Food | Helps | History | Language | Music | News | Pastimes | Products | Traditions/Legends | Links | About Us-Contact | Sun-N-Moon Jewelry | Chat | Web Designers Info |