DOMINICAN SWEETHEART
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Santo Domingo was founded in 1496, on the left bank of the Ozama River, by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Christopher Columbus, and was named Nueva Isabela in honor of Queen Isabela of Spain. Eventually, it was established as the first Spanish colony in the New World. Its full name was La Nueva Isabela, Santo Domingo del Puerto de la Isla de la Espa�ola, and it served as a base for Spanish expeditions to the newly found lands. Destroyed by a hurricane, La Nueva Isabela was rebuilt in 1502, on the right bank of the Ozama River, and its name was shortened to Santo Domingo. Most of the city walls were built between 1543 and 1702, and after a period of renovation, the city walls now look almost like they did originally.
The Isabela river, close to Santo Domingo is today as placid and crystaline as it was, 500 years ago.
La Hispaniola
Christopher Columbus thought he had arrived in India, so he called the NewWorld he found the West Indies, name that is still used to designate the Caribbean area. Because the land was named West Indies, its inhabitants were called Indians. Columbus had the royal privilege to name all the land he found, and he gave the name, La Espa�ola, (the Spanish one) to the island where he founded the first settlement. The name was Latinized into Hispaniola by the scholars of the time, who used Latin as the language of learning and writing.
Saint Domingue
After France was granted the possession of the eastern part of the island, the whole island was known as Saint Domingue, the name of the French colony at the western part of the island. When Spain regained the territory, the name of Santo Domingo became, the name of the capital of what would become the Dominican Republic.
In 1936, under the dictator Rafael Trujillo, the capital was renamed Ciudad Trujillo. After the assassination of Trujillo in 1961, the city regained its original name. Lately, Dominicana is the name used for tourism purposes.
The Colony:
The colony prospered as the Spanish administrative and political center, but after Spain's conquest of Per� and M�xico, its significance declined. At the peak of its power, Diego de Vel�squez sailed from Santo Domingo to settle Cuba, Ponce de Le�n went forth to discover and settle Puerto Rico and Florida, and Cort�z launched in the direction of M�xico.
Between 1795 and 1809, Santo Domingo was ceded to French domination. After bloody battles, Independence was proclaimed in 1844, and Santo Domingo became the capital of the Dominican Republic. Except for a period from 1861 to 1865, Santo Domingo has remained the capital.
For someone interested in the first colonial years of the New World, Santo Domingo offers an impresive view of the first permanent settlement that is now 500 years old. A restoration of the main colonial structures has brought to life la Nueva Isabela.
See a map of the colonial zone as it is today, with many pictures.
The Face of the City
Early colonial architecture, combined with gives a unique face to this city. The old town is still partially enclosed by remnants of its original stone wall. This wall served, just like in Medieval Europe, to protect against enemies that included pillaging pirates.
The old city section has fortresses; narrow, intimate cobblestone streets; majestic mansions; open-air markets, and small shops. Among the historical buildings clustered in this area are: the Tower of Homage, the first Cathedral in the New World, the Alc�zar de Col�n, residence of the governor of Hispaniola, the Atarazana, and many others.
The old city is linked to the contemporary section by neighborhoods full of interesting architectural styles that spread the city in all directions. From the Fairgrounds in the southwestern part, built in the 1950s, to the newest subdivisions of the north, and the Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square), which contains cultural institutions such as the National Theater-School of Art, the Conservatory, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of History, the Museum of Dominican Man, the National Fine Arts Gallery, and the National Library.
The first university of the New World is the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. Among other institutions of higher learning, the Pedro Henriquez Ure�a National University, Madre y Maestra University, and the Instituto Tecnol�gico de Santo Domingo are the best known.
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My country is my life.
It is witness to my birth,
And the beginning of my life.
I'm so proud of my roots,
So beautiful and one of a kind.
The most gorgeous of its time.
Our people so humble,
And full of pride.
They would offer you their love unconditional.
It is hard to find people like mine.
There are many greedy human creatures.
They would not give you love,
Unless you sell your soul.
Isn't that an issue?
The cities in my country are so unique.
Every city has its own beauty.
When you visit you will see.
You'll remember what I told you.
I tell you, my country and my people are very wonderful,
With so much love, and so full of emotion.
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