Tag Archives: santo domingo

Museums-Galleries-Theaters, Parks and Plazas

Cementerio Nacional Avenida Independencia

Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

The Cementerio Nacional on Ave. Independencia, Santo Domingo, is the first national cemetery in the Dominican Republic. They inaugurated it during the Haitian occupation by Haitian President Jean Pierre Boyer, August 29, 1824. The cemetery has been closed since 1965. The last persons interred there were constitutional soldiers who died during the civil war.

Center path through the Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia
Center path through the Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

This large gated cemetery, with an area of ​​16,000 square meters and 3,275 graves, has been around for over 500 years. Surrounded by a wall, it was a commonplace to execute people. María Trinidad Sánchez and Antonio Duvergé were both executed here.

Graves and tombs Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia
Graves and tombs Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

Persons Buried in the Cemetery

Buried beneath the soil is history in abundance. Yet we will never know all who are buried in this disorganized resting place as many of the graves are not marked and have been destroyed by time and looters. 

A monument dedicated to the loss of a child at the Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia
A monument dedicated to the loss of a child at the Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

Buried in the Cementerio Nacional are many of the founders and the people who created Santo Domingo. There are people who died because of different plagues that spread throughout the country. Many of those interred here are children and infants. Represented here are the dead from hurricane San Zenón that took. They have laid many races and nationalities to rest in this bleak but interesting place. There are people from the Haitian occupation buried here with their tombstones written in French. Buried here are casualties from many wars and conflicts that occurred in the Dominican Republic including, 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 link has a list of all the people interred at the Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia. Censo de Tumbas en el Cementerio Viejo de Santo Domingo de la Av. Independencia.

The moving monument to Lusia Ozema Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia
The moving monument to Lusia Ozema Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia/ National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

The history of Professor Luisa Ozema Pellerano de Castro.

Ignored Historical Site

The Cementerio Nacional de la Avenida Independencia was declared a Patrimonio Cultural/ Cultural Patrimony historical site in 1987. It is still highly ignored by the Dominican people. Street people can be seen sleeping on pieces of cardboard outside the gates at night. There are rats scurrying along doing who knows what in the dark cemetery.

There was a proposed restoration of the National Cemetery in July 2012 that never happened. Story on the Colonial Zone News Blog.

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 lying atop a grave chewing on a large bone. Makes one think…

The dogs occuping the National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia
The dogs occuping the National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

I urge everyone to visit this interesting yet sad cemetery. Take a walk, view the tombs and the strange grave markers from times past. But, please only go in the daylight hours and be cautious of your surroundings.

I made a picture slide show of the Cementerio Nacional with many pictures and information of this Historical National Monument.

A toppled cross grave at the National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia
A toppled cross grave at the National Cemetery on Avenue Independencia

Location:

Go to the beginning (west) of the Conde at Independencia Park. Turn left (south) walking in front of the park. Take the first road to the right (south), Ave. Independencia (at the end of Arz. Nouel the street name changes), and continue walking up this street (away from the Colonial Zone). The cemetery is 2 blocks up on the left. Located in Ciudad Nueva between Av. Independencia, Calle Canela, Calle Padre Billini and Calle Carrerasm

Taxi - Tours

Columbus Lighthouse & 3 Eyes Cave Lake Tour

Columbus Lighthouse and Three Eyes National Park Tour

Visit the Faro a Colón where Christopher Columbus’s remains are said to be held. Then visit Parque Los Tres Ojos, a natural limestone cave that is home to a series of three ancient underground lakes.

faro a colon

Visit the Faro a Colón, a 10-story high monument dedicated to the controversial explorer. Learn about his visits to the area while touring the lighthouse-like structure, which is both a museum and mausoleum where many believe Columbus’s body resides. Afterward, embark on a subterranean boat ride through Parque Los Tres Ojos, a natural limestone cave that is home to a series of three ancient lakes.

More information about the Columbus Lighthouse and Three Eyes National Park Tour.

3 ojos de auga tour

*3-hour morning tour to Faro a Colón and Parque Los Tres Ojos

*Visit two of the most popular attractions in Santo Domingo Este

*Learn about Christopher Columbus’ Caribbean voyages, and see where his remains allegedly lie

*Marvel at the three natural underground lakes of Los Tres Ojos Take a boat ride on the lakes and watch for fish and other animals

*Hotel transport included

*Half-day tour from Santo Domingo

*It is recommended you wear comfortable clothing and shoes

More information about the Columbus Lighthouse and Three Eyes National Park Tour.

Buildings/Edificios-Monuments/Monumentos

Palacio Consistorial

Palacio Consistorial

The Palacio Consistorial, located in the Colonial City / Ciudad Colonial of Santo Domingo, was the original location of the old town hall. It is the oldest Town Hall in The Americas. Not only has this historical building witnessed unrivaled events in the history of The Dominican Republic, but it is also the place where many of the most important decisions of the country have been made.

The Palacio Consistorial with its distinguishing tower as seem from Calle Arzobispo Meriño, Ciudad Colonial.
The Palacio Consistorial with its distinguishing tower as seem from Calle Arzobispo Meriño, Ciudad Colonial.

The Palacio Consistorial was built between 1502 and 1504. It has been remodeled many times during its lifetime in which much of the original facade has been hidden and covered over.

The original Palacio Consistorial
The original Palacio Consistorial (Imágenes de Nuestra Historia).

The Remodeling

The Palace was remodeled between 1911 and 1913 by the architect Osvaldo Báez Machado (Machado also remodeled the Iglesia de la Altagracia and The Hospital Padre Billini). He changed the edificio to have a neoclassical style that was very popular at that time.

The Palacio has many beautiful balconies with iron railing.
The Palacio has many beautiful balconies with iron railing.

The porch on the ground level runs along the entire building and the second floor boasts a large curved corner balcony and small balconies with iron railing.

The ground level porch of the Palacio Consistorial.
The ground level porch of the Palacio Consistorial.

Museo de la Villa de Santo Domingo

The interior of the Consistorial, also known as the Museo de la Villa de Santo Domingo, has a large central patio. It is exquisite with the beautiful fountain and surrounding terraces. An elegant staircase rises to the second floor. Along with the busts of the Padres de la Patria (Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella), there is a beautiful antique grand piano and crystal chandeliers.

This video shows the interior of the Palacio Consistorial. It is beautiful.

In 1939 the exiled Spanish Architect Tomas Auñón made the interior woodwork and trim. In 1944, José Vela Zanneti (May 27, 1913 – January 4, 1999), the great Spanish muralist, made the mural that tells the history of the city. Starting with the loves of Miguel y Catalina up to the Era of Trujillo. The art emphasizes the San Zenón Hurricane that in 1930 marked the beginning of the 31 years of Trujillo’s dictatorship.

Palacio Consistorial has a large curved corner balcony where the clock tower rises to the crowned dome known as El Vivaque.
Palacio Consistorial has a large curved corner balcony where the clock tower rises to the crowned dome known as El Vivaque.

The most notable aspect of this historic building, the 95 foot high (29 meter) clock tower / torre del reloj. The tower was added during the time of Trujillo. The top of the tower has a crowned dome known as El Vivaque. The tower has a clock on its front that in old times was an important time peace in the city. Now, it is just for show.

All the lights are ablaze late at night at the Palacio Consistorial.
All the lights are ablaze late at night at the Palacio Consistorial.

For years the building was part of the Banco de Trabajadores. For a time it was a jail and a police station. Now the building houses Ayuntamiento del Distrito Nacional. It is also a beautiful and elegant space for art exhibitions and cultural activities.

The bright white tower of the Palacio Consistorial can be seen high above the Colonial City and can be used to find your way.
The bright white tower of the Palacio Consistorial can be seen high above the Colonial City and can be used to find your way.

This tower of the Consistorial Palace is an iconic part of the Colonial Zone. If you lose your way in the Colonial Area just look to the sky for this tower with the clock (usually the clock is not working). This unique tower can be seen from most of the surrounding Colonial Zone area. If you become lost or can’t remember how to get back to the Conde just locate the tower and head towards it.

The optical illusion. It looks like the tower of the Palacio is leaning towards the street.
The optical illusion. It looks like the tower of the Palacio is leaning towards the street.

Note

– The building and its tower look like it is leaning towards the street. This, I am told, is an optical illusion.

Calle Arzobispo Meriño, the brightly colored trinitaria and the Palacio Consistorial can be seen in the distance.
Calle Arzobispo Meriño, the brightly colored trinitaria and the Palacio Consistorial can be seen in the distance.

Location:

The Consistorial Palace and the Museo de la Villa de Santo Domingo is on the corner of Calle El Conde and Arzobispo Meriño, at Parque Colon. Just look up and you will see the distinctive tower.

Reference – Diario Libre