Colonial Zone Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Parks and Plazas

Located at the end of Independencia Park on Ave. Independencia in Cuidad Nueva is this large gated cemetery. Take a walk through and look at all the monuments inside. The tombs and the strange grave markers from times past.

This cemetery has been around for more than 500 years. It was inaugurated in 1824. Buried beneath the soil is history in abundance. Yet we will never know all who are buried in this disorganized resting place. Many of the graves are not marked. Many of the founders, the people that created Santo Domingo, are buried here. The plagues that spread throughout the country are represented here amongst the graves many of which are children and infants. The hurricane San Zenón that took many lives is represented here. War is represented in this place. Many different races and nationalities have been laid to rest here. There are people from the Haitian occupation buried here with their tomb stones written in French. There are dead here from wars, The War of Restauración, Annexation to Spain, The War of Independence, The Intervention of the US Marines (6 Marines are buried here), There are tombs of many of the Dominican Republic Presidents here including Francisco Gregorio Billini Aristy, El Padre Billini and José Núñez de Cáceres (1772-1846).

This cemetery has been declared Patrimonio Cultural/Cultural Patrimony yet it is highly ignored by the Dominican peoples. Outside the gates at night can be seen the street people, sleeping on pieces of cardboard. There are rats scurrying along doing who knows what in the dark cemetery. Passing by in the daylight one can always see dogs inside the gates. Sleeping on a grave. Could it be the grave of its master? One day I saw a dog laying atop a grave chewing on a large bone. Makes one think...

Parque Colón/ Columbus Park

This park, with its large trees and sometimes working fountains, is where most tours seem to start of the Colonial Zone.It is a large open area with benches nestled under the large trees. There always seems to be a breeze.This park is a hangout for tourists and locals alike. Since it is a high traveled tourist area there will be many vendors trying to sell you a CD of typical Dominican music, maybe a rosary or some other trinket. There are always tour guides looking for guidees at a price. Taxi drivers will ask if you need a taxi as you pass by their stands. Maybe a shoeshine boy (limpia bota) will ask if you need a shine or give you a little flower and then ask you to pay for it. You could be followed by a local street dog, they can also spot a tourist from a distance.

In the center of Colon Park one can see the huge statue of Christopher Columbus who the park is names after. This bronze statue dates back from 1897 and is the work of French sculptor Gilbert. It shows a native Taino woman reaching to Columbus standing atop the pillar in his arrogant glory.

Located directly in front of the Catedral Santa Maria (the oldest cathedral in all Las Americas). On the other side of the park is Calle El Conde where one can walk the entire length of the Colonial Zone and end up at the Independence Park or Calle Las Damas. This section of the Conde has a few restaurants where you can sit, enjoy a meal or a drink and people watch. There is also a few tobacco stores where you can watch cigars being rolled.

Directions: El Conde at Arzobispo Meriño, Zona Colonial (see the map for exact location -new window)

Plaza de Espana or Plaze de Armas,

This large, open air plaza in front of the Alcazar de Colon nice place to be. The pedestrian only street known as Atarazanas (on my map, as with many, the road is also called Colon) It was the first commercial street th the Americas. At one side of this plaza are many restaurants and outdoor cafes that are very popular. These buildings were originally homes and warehouses. Always some activity happening here. There are outdoor art shows, concerts, and many other activities. Always it is a beautiful place to sit and people watch. It is beautiful at night when the lights are shining on the palace. Take a walk around the outside edge of the wall on the cat walk type path. Walking around this far edge you can look over the wall and see the river Ozama far below.The street bordering the plaza is closed to traffic. Before the Spanish arrived this was just a conuco (cultivated fields) of the native Tainos. In the past this plaza was the place where the soldiers paraded.

Plaza María de Toledo

This Plaza was made to honor the first American Virreina, Doña María de Toledo. A cultural woman who helped make life for this new colony a little more proper. Built within two stone arches it was the residence of the group la Compañía de Jesús. It is usually a quite place to be.

This plaza is located between Isabel la Catolica and Calle las Damas across from Calle Gregorio Luperon

Plaza de la Cultura (Juan Pablo Duarte)

This park is not in Colonial Zone but it is close. It is home of three different museums,Museo de Historia Natural/ Museum of Natural History, Museo del Hombre Dominicano/ Museum of the Dominican Man, Mueso de Arte Moderno/ Museum of Modern Art, and Museo de Historia y Geografía/ Museum of History and Geography. The Teatro Nacional is also located on the property. Here can be seen many concerts and cultural events. There are a few different restaurants, one of which is in a restored Colonial home. The park itself is made up of twisting, tree lined paths that wind through this green area, There are private sitting areas where one can relax a bit. It is a small oasis in the big city.

Also located on the property is Cinema Café. (click for more information-opens in a new window)

Directions: Gazcue , Santo Domingo for exact location and hours go to our museums page..(opens in a new window)

Malecon

I'm not sure if this is concidered a park. Except on Sundays when they close of the street near the Jaragua Hotel for Malecon Libre. The road is closed for pedestrians, bicycles, and good family fun. There are vendors where food can be bought. Theres entertainment for the kids. Sometimes there is even a concert or two.

During the weekdays this road has many places to sit and watch the Caribbean sea. The road can be a little dangerous to cross as pedestrians do not have the right of way. But once you have crossed to the sea side it is a beautiful walk. There are little stops where you can get a drink or sandwich, sit and relax with the cool breezes blowing softly. In the evening there are more eating options on the sea side of the road. There is a park where you have your choise of about 15 to 20 vendors vendors sell some tasty sandwiches and of course the famous ice cold beers. There is always something interesting to see at night here. Fort San José /(picture-new window), El Obelisco(picture-new window) and La Obelisca (two obelisks built by dictator Trujillo). There are concerts held in parks along this road. The Carnival in Santo Domingo(pictures-new window) is held on this road. Most of the parades in the city are held here also.

Directions: all along Ave George Washington, Santo Domingo

Park or Plaza of Fort San Jose / Parque o Plaza de Fuerte de San Jose

This park is quite nice. It has some large trees with benches encircling them. There is a beautiful small garden kept up by the neighbors. There are some beautiful flowers and orchids to see (if you see the man taking care of the garden make sure you tell him your opinion. He will for sure appriciate it since he did it all at his own expense). There is a rise where some of Fuerte de San Jose still exists. Here one can have a great view of the statue of Frair Anton de Montecino. There is usually much action in the park on the weekends. The locals meet and enjoy visiting with each other. You may see some dominoes being played. Maybe a family gathering, birthday party or a concert. There is a Colmado close where you can purchase your beverage of choice to enjoy while you sit and relax. This park is very inviting and within view of the Caribbean sea also. picture of park - opens in new window

Originally named Calle de la Fortaleza / The street of Strength.or Fortress when it was made in 1502, it is the oldest street in the Americas. With the arrival of Diego Columbus and his wife, the neice of King, doña María de Toledo and other ladies, the city was trying to attain a little class. It is said to have been named for the Ladies-in-Waiting that strolled up and down its north to south running length. During its history the street had many names, most of the names came about because of a name of a building built along its path. Finally, the street was given its historical name back and the name remains to this day. This street is a nice walk with not many cars passing along its stone path. Surrounded by the beautifully restored buildings on both sides of the street and the minimal cars that pass. One may feel like they are among the privelaged people from times past that used to take their afternoon stroll along this historic street of the colony.

Parque Duarte

This calm park is a nice place to sit away from all the movement at Colon Park. There are benches where you can sit under a tree and relax.This square was also known as Anacaona Plaza, Santo Domingo Plaza and Plaza of the Ex-Convict Dominico. It is rich in history. Haitian separatists fought for independence here in 1843. It was also the site of bullfights. The statue of Duarte in the center of the park was erected in 1930. The park faces the Capilla Dominicos. In the night this place is over run by young people partying, drinking and listening to music. Very interesting to observe.

Directions: Padre Billini and Duarte

Plaza Bartolomé de las Casas

This plaza named after Las Casas, known as the protector of the Indians, has a statue of him in it's center. In this park many special events and concerts are held bacause of the limited access. It is surrounded by a fence hich is only open when the park is in use.

Directions: Padre Billini and Meriño

Plazoleta de los Curas

Located directly behind the Cathedral this plaza can only be accessed during the day when the gates are unlocked. It is a small plaza whose surrounding buildings housed high church officials and offices of the church. The plaza entrance is accessed through arched passages. One of these arches called the Puerta del Perdón. This door leads to a small alley way type path where the people of the colonial times liked to take an afternoon stroll. This path is called El Callejón de los Curas/The Alley of Cures. Located near this plaza was a colonial religious cemetery that is no longer there.

In this plaza one can see the Arabian influence in the building style. It was also a place for cloistered monks to remain in silence.

Just walking into this plaza one has the feeling of such serenity. The Cathedral on one side, looming in its grandness and majesty and the small simple houses on the other side of the plaza. The only way out is to continue on through the small archway that leads to the alley laiden with overhanging flowers. It is a must walk through spot on your tour through the Colonial Zone.

Plazoleta Padre Billini

Dedicated to Father Francisco Xavier Billini who is known as the protector of the poor man, his statue stands in the center of this plaza. Billini founded the Hospital de la Beneficencia which was the first charity hospital here. He also developed the lottery so as to help pay for these the poorest of patients.

This plaza is very quite and has no benches for sitting. It is attractive with it's beautifully kept flower beds that seem to always be in bloom.

Directions: Arzobispo Meriño y Padre Billini

Plaza at Ermita de San Anton and Fort San Francisco

I am not sure of the exact name of this plaza but it runs from the Riuns of the San Francisco Monistary, past the Chapel - Ermita de San Anton up to the old fort that is gone of San Francisco. It is a nice walk, very peaceful. Nice old wooden houses are in abundance in this little neighborhood. Sometimes the people living there sell their wares and you can purchase some fruits or home cooked foods.

Directions: Resturacion and General Cabral

Calle El Conde/ Street of the Count has also been called the Calle de la Separacion, Clavijo and Real

The oldest Commercial street in the city of Santo Domingo de Guzmán runs directly through the Colonial Zone.It is named after the Count of Peñalva. From here one can find their way around the Zone quite easily. This is a very busy thoroughfare and was closed to traffic many years ago. It is a 10 block cobblestone walk way filled with shops, restaurants, and all types of people (some street dogs also). People selling their wares of many forms from the street and the many stores. It is one of the most popular shopping areas for Dominicans and tourists alike. Its fun to sit on one of the benches along Conde Street and watch the people passing by. You may even see a street performer or some impromptu activity from some passer by that you will remember forever.

The street runs from the Puerta del Conde at its farthest west point continuing on to Calle las Damas at its eastern end.