The Postal Service is not very reliable in Dominican Republic but it is improving slowly. You can mail postcards and letters without many problems but important things it is best to send in a more secure manner. We suggest, if you do want to receive mail from other countries to get a Post Box. There are companies ( PO Box International, CPS-Continental, Jet Pac…etc.) where you can rent a box and they are independent from the government mail service. In the USA they give you a mailbox address in Miami or some other area. Then your mail is sent there. Then they bring it to the Dominican Republic. These private services are faster, more reliable and much more secure.
If you are sending postcards while on vacation most gift shops sell stamps and will take care of mailing the card. The post office in Colonial Zone is on Calle Isabel la Católica across from Colon Park inside the Palacio de Borgellá.
Palacio de Borgellá. The location of the Colonial Zone Post Office.
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia / Chapel de Altagracia
A tribute of love, recognition and eternal memory.
The Iglesia de Altagracia was originally built by Nicolas de Ovando in 1503. It was a small stone chapel. With the many improvements over the years, it is a beautiful place to visit and worship.
The exterior tower of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, Colonial Zone
The church was rebuilt in the 1920s over the original building in an Elizabethan Gothic style. The wall of this church was once shared with the Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, the ruins that run alongside this church. Within these walls are the remains of the original 1540’ brick Capilla de la Concepción / Conception Chapel.
Interior of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
Inside the large church the decor is strongly influenced by Arab and Spanish art. Some of the art includes the Sol de Oro / Sun of Gold, a model of the star that announced Christ’s birth, and a beautiful altar.
Saturday night mass at the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
The Virgin Altagracia
is the protector saint of the Dominican Republic, celebrated yearly on January 21. More information on Altagracia.
During the procession on Altagracia Day on January 21st the virgin is carried throughout the streets of the Colonial city on glorious golden throne donated by then President and dictator Trujillo (the church organ was also donated by Trujillo)
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia on Calle Hostos, Zona Colonial
Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen / The Church of Our Lady of Carmen
The Brotherhood of Remedies and of Carmen, a small group of parishioners, wanted to have a small chapel for their meetings. They built their small chapel in 1615 on a plot of land owned by the San Andres Hospital.
Padre Gaspar Hernandez in front of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
In 1729 the chapel was enlarged. The main entrance door dates back to this period. It was christened the Plazoleta de la Trinitaria and was used as a meeting ground for the Dominicans who led the revolt against the Haitians who occupied the city in 1844.
Inside this chapel there is a wooden sculpture of the Nazareno (Nazarene) who is a type of Christ.
Door of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Did you know?
July 16 is the celebration of the patron saint Nuestra Señora del Carmen. She is the Patron Saint of the Fuerza Aérea de República Dominicana (FARD) / Dominican Republic Air Force.
Location
: From Calle el Conde turn south on Sanchez. Go 1 block to Calle Arzobispo Nouel. It is on the left beside the Capilla de San Andrés and Hospital Billini.
All You Want To Know About The Oldest City In The Americas
