Colonial City of Santo Domingo

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The Colonial City of Santo Domingo: A Historical Gem in the Caribbean

The Colonial City of Santo Domingo, officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of the Dominican Republic. Situated within the modern metropolis of Santo Domingo, this historic district, also known as Ciudad Colonial, Zona Colonial, or colloquially as "La Zona," offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the past while showcasing the vibrant spirit of the present.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

After Christopher Columbus's arrival on the island in 1492, Santo Domingo became the site of the first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas. This colonial town, founded in 1498, was laid out on a grid pattern that became the model for almost all town planners in the New World.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (ii): The Colonial City of Santo Domingo has exercised a strong influence on the development of the cities of the Caribbean and the American continent. Its grid pattern and its Plaza Mayor have served as a model for new cities in the Americas. Its institutional buildings date from the 16th century – Palace of the Viceroy, Cabildo (Town Hall), Real Audiencia (Royal Court of Justice) Chancery and Cathedral – have served as references for future development.

Criterion (iv): The initial urban fabric of the City of Santo Domingo, the « Ovando model » is conserved intact, as much in the regularity of its grid layout adjusted here and there due to topographical imperatives, as the original width of its streets. Its monumental buildings that date from the beginning of the 16th century, bear witness to the decline of Spanish Gothic and the appearance of the first indications of the Renaissance, as is eloquently illustrated in its cathedral.

Criterion (vi): Events of universal importance have seen the light of day in Santo Domingo: expeditions and conquests of new lands left from this point; the spread of evangelization and the first Leyes de Indias (Laws of the Indies) were proclaimed and enforced.

Encyclopedia Record: Ciudad Colonial (Santo Domingo)

Ciudad Colonial is the historic central neighborhood of the Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo. It is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the Americas. The area has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also known as Zona Colonial or more colloquially as "La Zona".

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