Tag Archives: Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo

Casa de las Gárgolas

Casa de las Gárgolas/ House of the Gargoyles and The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo

Nestled between the home of Juan Viloria and the Casa de los Jesuitas is the Casa de las Gárgolas. The original residence of Don José Fernández. Built in the early sixteenth century, it is one of the oldest homes in the Colonial City.

Casa de las Gárgolas - The gargoyles atop the house of gargoyles.
Casa de las Gárgolas – The gargoyles atop the house of gargoyles.

The casa later became home to a group called Compañía de Jesús. Through this houses existence it has housed various councils, the Haitian Occupation and more. It was also the home where poet Emilio Prud’Homme and musician José Reyes collaborated to commemorate the Restauración in 1897.

Casa de las Gárgolas - The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo
Casa de las Gárgolas – The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo

Casa de las Gárgolas

The building is now called the Casa de las Gárgolas (House of the Gargoyles), named for the six gargoyles that decorate the facade of the building. These mythological animals, it was believed, chased away evil spirits and protected the inhabitants. These gargoyles not only protect, they are water drainage devices that are thought to have come from the original Cathedral de Santa María.

The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo. Himno Nacional written here.
The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo. Himno Nacional written here.

The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo

The Casa de las Gárgolasis the home of The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo (Dominican Development Foundation). The song that was to become the Himno Nacional of Republica Dominicana (National Hymn of Dominican Republic) was written here August 17, 1883.

Casa de las Gárgolas/ House of the Gargoyles and The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo
Casa de las Gárgolas/ House of the Gargoyles and The Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo

Location:

Calle Las Mercedes between Calle las Damas and Isabel la Catolica.

Casa de Juan Viloria

Casa de Juan Viloria

Don Juan Viloria build his beautiful home around 1520. The house was painstakingly restored in 1977. The striking Arab styled interior patio and gallery are very unique. The patio is surrounded by impressive stone arches.

Casa de Juan Viloria is now home to La Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo.
Casa de Juan Viloria is now home to La Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo.

The beautifully restored building is home to La Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo / The Dominican Development Foundation.

Don Juan Viloria

was an important person in the original colony. He originally lived in La Vega where he was Marshall. Viloria was Governor executor of possessions for Diego Columbus. The family Colón trusted Juan completely.

Viloria was the only person permitted to serve the people of royalty. He was considered to be the Copero de los Reyes Católicos (Butler of the Catholic Monarchs).

Casa de Juan Viloria on Calle las Mercedes
Casa de Juan Viloria on Calle las Mercedes

Location: The Casa Don Juan Viloria is located on Calle Mercedes #4 between Calle las Damas and Isabel la Católica. It is next to the Casa de Gárgolas.