Tag Archives: cobblestone

Streets/Calles

Calle Hostos

Calle Hostos

Calle Hostos is one of the most beautiful and unique in the Colonial Zone. This very old and historical street runs from North to South through the heart of the Colonial City.

Looking down Calle Hostos towards Calle el Conde. The Iglesia Altagracia is on the left.
Looking down Calle Hostos towards Calle el Conde. The Iglesia Altagracia is on the left.

The street originally was named Calle del Hospital, named so because of the Hospital San Nicolás de Bari is located on this calle antiguo. Hostos was also called Calle Militar.

Calle Militar changed its name again in 1904. The name was changed to what it is today, Calle Hostos. It is named after the Dominican national hero and educator Eugenio María de Hostos (1839-1903).

Calle Hostos hill with wooden houses.
Calle Hostos hill with wooden houses.

The most beautiful and most photographed part of this historic street is going up the steep hill. There are stairs on either side of the steep cobblestone street. Here you can see some of the original old wooden houses, protected by UNESCO, lining the incline.

Calle Hostos has been the location for many different movie shoots the most famous being The Godfather II.

Calle Hostos near Parque Duarte.
Calle Hostos near Parque Duarte.

Location:

Walking from the eastern end of the Conde in Ciudad Colonial Hostos street runs left and right. Hostos starts at the Fuerte y Parque de San José, passes Parque Duarte, a few fun bars and restaurants, crosses Calle el Conde, passes the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia and the Ruinas San Nicolás de Bari and ends at the Ruinas del Monasterio de San Francisco.

Parks and Plazas, Streets/Calles

Calle el Conde

Calle el Conde/ Street of the Count

Calle el Conde is the oldest commercial street in the city of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. It runs directly through the center of Colonial Zone from Puerta Independencia (Puerta del Conde) to the Escaleras del Conde that end at the Malecon at Rio Ozama.

At the beginning (or the end) of Calle el Conde is Puerta del Conde at the entrance to Parque Independencia at night.
At the beginning (or the end) of Calle el Conde is Puerta del Conde at the entrance to Parque Independencia at night.

This pedestrian only street is named after the Count of Peñalva, Bernardo de Meneses y Bracamonte, the captain general of Santo Domingo. Some of the manes this historical street has been called include Calle de la Separación, Clavijo, Imperial, 27 de Febrero and Real.

Calle el Conde at Hostos 1940's
Calle el Conde at Hostos 1940’s

El Conde runs through the center of the colonial city. It is very easy to navigate your way around the city from this street, finding your way around the Zone quite easily.

The beautiful Escaleras Calle el Conde / Stairs of the Conde at the end of Calle el Conde
The beautiful Escaleras Calle el Conde / Stairs of the Conde at the end of Calle el Conde

This is a very busy thoroughfare and was closed to traffic many years ago. It is 11 block cobblestone street is lined with stores, restaurants, hotels, homes and a variety of businesses, some open and others closed. There are all types of humans to see and some friendly street dogs also.

Buenagente, the famous dog, is taking a stroll down Calle el Conde
Buenagente, the famous dog, is taking a stroll down Calle el Conde.

There are people everywhere. Some selling their wares in the street and inside the many shops. Others are shopping or just taking a stroll.

Calle el Conde a very busy street
Calle el Conde a very busy street.

It is one of the most popular shopping areas for Dominicans and tourists alike. Sit on one of the benches or open air cafes along Conde Street and watch the people passing by. You may even see a street performer or some impromptu activity from some passerby that you will remember forever.

A chess tournament on Calle el Conde
A chess tournament on Calle el Conde

Location:

Calle el Conde runs from the Puerta del Conde (Parque Independencia) at its farthest west point continuing on to Calle las Damas, the Escaleras del Conde and on to the Malecon at its eastern end.