Colonial Zone, the oldest city in all the Americas. Live the history.
Fortaleza Ozama, one of the oldest forts in the New World
Colonial Zone
, Ciudad Colonial, Zona Colonial and once known as Ciudad Trujillo, is the oldest inhabited city in all of The Americas on the island of Hispaniola in the country of Dominican Republic / República Dominicana. It is a small town located in the capital city of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
What now is the Colonial City was the original city of Santo Domingo before it grew into the large sprawling metropolis it is today. Río Ozama and the Caribbean Sea border the walled city. There are many historical sites that were built during the time of exploration, exploitation, and colonization of the “New World.” We have some of the oldest historical sites in the Dominican Republic.
Much of the original city can still be seen today. The cathedral, monastery, university and hospital are among many of the “firsts” located in the Zone. One can see the old world Spanish architectural and styles of the period in the 16th-century buildings, homes and churches. Many are still in excellent condition and are a wonder to behold.
Casa Reales and The Sun Dial
Colonial Zone (and the surrounding sectors including San Miguel, San Lázaro, Santa Barbara, and Ciudad Nueva) is a wonderful mix of the past and present. The old and new intertwine to make a unique travelers experience. Live the history. Walk our streets. Visit our Museums and Historical sights. Dine in our restaurants. Meet our people. Dance to our music. You will make lasting memories. Something you may remember for a lifetime.
If you are lucky maybe you just might come across one of the mythical jars filled with gold or treasure hidden in the walls of the houses of this Colonial settlement. Could this old legend be true? Many people living in the old city still believe.
The Colonial Zone (in Spanish it is called Zona Colonial or Ciudad Colonial, also known in years past as Nueva Isabella, Ciudad Trujillo and Santo Domingo) is the oldest constantly inhabited city in all of “The Americas”. It is a small town nestled in the capital city of Santo Domingo on the most beautiful island in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic.
Aerial view of the back of the Cathedral of Santo Domingo
The Colonial Zone is
the “City Of Firsts”.
We hold claim to the first cathedral, monastery, sewage system, university, customs house and hospital in the “New World”. Follow the 11 blocks of historical and fun-filled streets within this walled city holding the oldest permanent settlement in the New World. There are over three hundred pieces if history including the monuments, homes, streets and churches. In 1990 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) placed us on the World Heritage List. Come and meet the people and visit our museums, forts and historical buildings dating back to the time of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in 1492.
Duarte Park and the Church of the Dominicos
The “Zone” successfully blends the old and the new in a way like no other place can. We have a wide variety of restaurants offering many culinary styles that are sure to please your palate. There are bars and clubs with many different music styles for young and old alike. If you just want to sit and do some people watching there are many parks and plazas where you can relax and enjoy the soft Caribbean breezes.
Come and see for yourself what makes our town so special.
The Guide To The Colonial Zone And The Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic, located on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola, is a country rich in culture. The friendly people and the diverse land make it a unique and fun place to visit. Come and visit the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. There are so many places to see and things to do.
Panorama view of Santo Domingo. The Caribbean Sea, Rio Ozama and the Colonial Zone as seem from the Faro at Punta Torrecilla.
The island has lush green valleys, tropical rain forests, dry desert environments. There are sleepy villages, bustling cities, sprawling farmlands and the highest mountain in all the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. The music, Merengue (amazon link) is the national music & Bachata, the happy people and their love for baseball. All these things and more add to the vibrant culture you can experience when visiting.
The Dominican Republic is an island with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. Since we are an island we have hundreds of beaches that you can visit. You can relax on a quiet rocky beach or maybe you want to swim on a white or black sand beach. You might want to do surfing, diving, windsurfing or sailing. You can dance the night away in the sand or a bustling discotec. Maybe you just want some peace and quiet you can find that also. You can also choose to visit one of our many sweet, clear and cool water rivers or visit the largest salt-water lake in the Caribbean. We have it all.
The country has all types of travel and vacation options.
You can visit a 5-star all-inclusive resort or travel very economically and rest your head in a small Dominican owned hotel or hostel. Visit our large, bustling cities or a sleepy country village. You must make sure to visit the oldest city in the Americas, Colonial Zone (also known as Ciudad Colonial (History of Colonial Zone in a nutshell), Zona Colonial or as the locals call it, La Zona), for a fantastic cultural experience. Visit over 300 cultural and historical places. Walk the streets. See and live the history.
Experience all of the wonderful things this island, nestled in the crystal blue Caribbean Sea, has to offer for yourself.
You will take with you many wonderful and happy memories of your adventures and of the friendly Dominican people.
Once you visit you will want to return to visit us again and again.
A Night In Dominican Republic – Tropical Music – Various Artists – ITunes
All You Want To Know About The Oldest City In The Americas
(amazon link) is the national music & Bachata, the happy people and their love for baseball. All these things and more add to the vibrant culture you can experience when visiting.
