Tag Archives: history

People In History

Francisco de Bobadilla

Francisco de Bobadilla

Francisco de Bobadilla was born in Spain around 1450. He became a nobleman who served fighting against the Moors when Spain retook their country. His title was Francisco de Bobadilla, Chevalier and Knight. Commander of the Royal Order of Calatrava. Because of his title and service he was favored by the royal family.

Painting of The Governors of Hispaniola Cristóbal Colón and Francisco de Bobadilla
Painting of The Governors of Hispaniola Cristóbal Colón and Francisco de Bobadilla

Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) was the governor of the island at this time. He ruled along with his brothers, Bartholomew and Giacomo (also called Diego).

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were hearing many complaints about what was happening in Hispaniola. The Queen sent Bobadilla to the new colony to check up on the Columbus boys. She wanted him to find out what was happening first hand. In 1499, because of all the bad reports, the Queen appointed Bobadilla to succeed Diego Columbus as the second governor of the Indies.

Francisco de Bobadilla
Francisco de Bobadilla

Bobadilla Arrival

Bobadilla arrived in the colonies in 1500 to take over. When he found out exactly what the brothers Columbus were up to Bobadilla took action. He took it upon himself and had Columbus and his brothers captured. He confiscated all their goods and belongings and had it all sent back to Spain. The Columbus men were also returned to Spain bound in chains.

The Queen became angry because she didn’t order these actions. In 1502 Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres replaced Bobadilla as governor of Hispaniola. The Queen sent for Bobadilla to return immediately to answer to her.

The second governor of the colony never made it back to Spain. He never got to face the wrath of the Queen. Francisco de Bobadilla died July 11, 1502 in the Atlantic Ocean during a hurricane in the Mona Passage while making his return. The storm wrecked most of the 31-ship convoy including the ship that contained the dethroned governor.

Francisco de Bobadilla
Francisco de Bobadilla

Some interesting items

*It is thought that Columbus had an affair with Bobadillas’ niece, Eleanora de Bobadilla. She was married to Alfonso de Lugo, the Governor of all the Canary Islands. Columbus made many stops to the island to restock his supplies whilst sailing the islands. Maybe he did a little more than only restocking?

*A short YouTube video in Spanish with some interesting pictures “Gobiernos de la Española-Gobiernos de Cristóbal Colón y Francisco de Bobadilla”

Buildings/Edificios-Monuments/Monumentos

Casa de Bastidas

Casa de Bastidas & The Trampolín Children’s Museum

This beautiful colonial house, constructed in 1505, was originally the residence of Captain Rodrigo de Bastidas. Captain Rodrigo was the Almojarife Mayor, Principal Royal Tax Collector, and governor of Santo Domingo. It is now home to the Children’s Museum Trampolín.

1.Casa de Bastidas/ House of Bastidas | 2.Trampolín Children’s Museum | 3.Location

Casa de Bastidas/ House of Bastidas

Casa de Bastidas seen from Calle las Damas
Casa de Bastidas seen from Calle las Damas

Rodrigo de Bastidas, the owner of the home was Honorary Mayor in 1512. This home was constructed specifically for him. After his death in 1527 his family and their descendants continued to occupy the home. The home is not constructed in the normal style of the time. It more resembled a warehouse, not an estate where people were to live. It was built this way to perform two functions. First to be used as a residence. Second, it was used as a storehouse and safe to keep the Crown revenues and treasures until they could be sent to Spain.

Casa de Bastidas as seen from inside the Fortaleza Ozama.
Casa de Bastidas as seen from inside the Fortaleza Ozama.

There is a plaque on the wall and a stone statue of Santa Bárbara above the door dating from the 18th century.

Casa de Bastidas with Santa Barbara above the door
Casa de Bastidas with Santa Barbara above the door

Entering the arched front doors is a vestibule that opens to a spectacular interior patio. The tree-lined patio is adorned with Roman arches and it an oasis. Many concerts and celebrations are held in this huge patio.

Trampolín, Museo Infantil / Trampoline, Children’s Museum

– Descubrir es Divertido / Discovery is Fun.

Trampoline is a children’s museum that is located inside the Casa de Bastidas. They hold many events in the interior patio.

Entrance to the Trampolín Children's Museum
Entrance to the Trampolín Children’s Museum

The museums desire in to spark the children’s interest in history and knowledge while making learning fun and interesting. It is an interactive place for children to learn about their Universe, Planet Earth, Energy, People and Society, Ecology and Ecosystems and their surroundings.

There are rooms for children’s workshops, a cinema theater, an outdoor theater, a cafeteria and library services. http://www.trampolin.org.do

Hours:

Tuesday to Friday 9AM to 5PM, Saturday and Sunday 10AM to 6PM. Entrance: RD$50 Children / RD$100 Adults (6/2015)

Phone:809-685-5551

More information about the Casa de Bastidas and the Children¿s Museum.

Location

Walk east down Calle el Conde where it ends at Calle las Damas. Turn right. Casa de Bastidas is on the left about 2 buildings down. Calle Las Damas, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo

Casa de Bastidas, Calle las Damas, next to Fortaleza Ozama.
Casa de Bastidas, Calle las Damas, next to Fortaleza Ozama.
Monuments of Colonial Zone

Columbus Palace

Palacio Virreinal Alcázar de Colón / Columbus Royal Palace

The Palacio Virreinal Alcázar de Colón (Colón is the Spanish word for Columbus), the short name is Alcazar de Colon. In English it is known as The Columbus Palace. This beautiful historical monument and UNESCO World Heritage site is a 22 room stone home built by Christopher Columbus son, Don Diego Colón and his wife María de Toledo.

1. Alcázar de Colón 2. Museo Alcázar de Colón 3. Maria de Toledo Statue 4. Directions

Alcázar de Colón

The Palacio Virreinal Alcazar de Colon and the Puerta San Diego as seen from the Malecon entering the Colonial City.
The Palacio Virreinal Alcazar de Colon and the Puerta San Diego as seen from the Malecon entering the Colonial City.

Diego and Maria Toledo resided in this 50 room Viceregal palace, during Diego’s term as viceroy. It has beautiful gardens, large balconies and amazing courtyards. This fortress was built during the early 1500s to be the seat of the viceroy court.

Diego and his wife, Maria de Toledo, lived here until 1523 when he was recalled to Spain. Other relatives lived here for decades afterward.

This building was abandoned in 1770 and turned into a garbage dump. Cave-ins in 1809 and 1835 left the building in ruins.

The Palacio Virreinal Alcazar de Colon in ruins 1910
The Palacio Virreinal Alcazar de Colon in ruins 1910

The building was restored by highly skilled stone cutters under the orders of President Trujillo. There were some added refinements made during several later restorations. The size is much smaller than the original building. All rebuilding was done to remain as faithful as possible to the original construction and decor. Not one single nail was used in its construction. It opened to the public on Columbus Day in 1957.

The Alcazar Colón in the Colonial Zone seen from the cat walk over top of the Puerta Don Diego.
The Alcazar Colón seen from the cat walk over top of the Puerta Don Diego.

The palace sits in a large open square, Plaza de Armas or Plaza de España. There are always some interesting activities happening in this beautiful plaza and if there are no activities it is still a nice place to sit on one of the benches located around the edge of the plaza.

The Alcazar looks beautiful at night with the lights shining on the stone-coral building. The Palacio Virreinal is a must-see for those who want to learn about Santo Domingo’s historical beginnings.

The front porch of the Palace
The front porch of the Palace

Museum of the Royal Houses / Museo Alcazar de Colón

Inside the Museum of Alcazar Colón
Inside the Museum of Alcazar Colón

Located inside the Alcazar is a museum that is home to an extensive collection of furniture and household items from the colonial period all arranged to look as if it is being lived into this day.

Inside the museum
Inside the museum

On display in the mansion is furniture, many clothing items and home utensils from the era, all supplied by the Spanish government. The furnishings are not the original household furnishings. Since the building was in ruins for many centuries it was ransacked and all the furnishings were taken or destroyed.

Suit of Armor in the museum Alcazar de Colón
Suit of Armor in the museum

The museum is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday 9AM – 5PM and Sundays from 9AM to 4PM
General admission is RD$50 (6/2012)

Maria de Toledo Statue

The statue of Maria de Toledo on the side of the Alcazar
The statue of Maria de Toledo on the side of the Alcazar


*Note- Mid-2017 the statue was moved to the Plaza Maria de Toledo between Isabel la Católica and Calle las Damas.

In the side yard is a statue of Maria de Toledo, the niece of the King of Spain and wife of Diego Colón, the son of Christopher Colón.

Maria was the first person of noble lineage to come to the Spanish island in 1509. She was the great-niece of the Catholic Monarchs and granddaughter of the Duke of Alba).

Maria de Toledo statue close
Maria de Toledo statue close

María de Toledo was a gracious host and loved having parties and visitors to her home. The statue of her seems to be inviting guests to her home.

Alcazar de Colon in the morning.
Alcazar de Colon in the morning.

Directions

Calle Las Damas at Plaza España. Walking west on Calle el Conde go almost to the end at Calle Las Damas. Turn left and continue walking about 1 1/2 blocks straight ahead. The street will turn into a pedestrian only plaza. Keep walking and you will see the giant palace in the distance. You cannot miss it.