Ciudad Colonial

Along a bend on the Ozama River's western banks, Zona Colonial, the historic segment of the city of Santo Domingo, seamlessly binds the fragments of its bygone era and embraces the urbane spirit that thrives within its old ramparts. A temporal portal of sorts, Zona Colonial allows one to travel through 500 years of Caribbean history, heritage and architecture. A zigzag tapestry of cobblestone streets lead to still-standing vestiges of the New World's European settlement – a stunning set of colonial-era monuments that straddle the historic Parque Colon, a central square in the city's midst. From the spectacular early European charm of the Alcázar de Colón that houses important works of Medieval and Renaissance art, to religious cornerstones like the 16th Century Catedral Primada de América, Zona Colonial is chock-full of weathered landmarks and fortresses. The New World's oldest paved street, Calle Las Damas is lined with several significant buildings such as the Fortaleza Ozama and the Casa de Bastidas. While the collective architectural heritage of Zona Colonial remains largely untouched and unchanged, part of this historic neighborhood is also reserved for a wealth of bars, restaurants, local shops and clubs that dot its landscape.