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Must Visit Attractions in Santo Domingo

, 6 Options Found

Declared a tourist attraction in 1970, the floors of Los Tres Ojos are filled with beautiful circular lakes fed by the Brujuelas, a subterranean river. The sulfurous waters of the first lake, discovered in 1916, are only 20 feet deep. The second, named La Nevera or “refrigerator” in English, drops to 15 degrees centigrade. The Women's Lake, the third and smallest, is warm and shallow. A fourth lake, measuring 300 meters deep, is named Los Saramagullones after a species of ducks that inhabits it. These mesmerizing caves leave you in awe of what nature is capable of doing, visit this place, at the heart of the earth, to spend some time with your significant other or just to appreciate this nature's bounty.

As one of the earliest Catholic cathedrals of the New World, Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor retains its significance centuries after its inception. Built in the 16th Century after Pope Julius II commissioned it, it was consecrated in 1541. Francis Drake, in 1586, made this Cathedral his headquarters, thus saving it from complete destruction. The Gothic architecture, characterized by picturesque carved lunettes and figurines at the entrance, is striking in coral limestone. Baroque elements can be seen in the altar, with ornate carvings. The cathedral was also known to be a temporary resting place of Christopher Columbus' remains. This important monument houses several artifacts and relics like furniture, jewelry, sculptures from the 16th Century, and is one of Santo Domingo's most visited religious sites.

Set along the Ozama River, Fortaleza Ozama was built in the 16th-century by the Spanish when they occupied the Dominican Republic. One of the oldest colonial structures in the country, it is known for its excellent medieval architecture. The edifice was made with the objective of defending the city from attacks by pirates and also foreign invasions. The walls of the castle are almost 2 meters (6.5 feet) thick, and the Tower of Homage with a fluttering Dominican Republic flag, acts as the centerpiece of the fortress. The main entrance, known as the Prevention Gate was built in 1608, and is one of the main attractions of the fortress. The statue of military chronicler Gonzalo Fernandoz de Oviedo stands amid the paved walkways that lead to the bastion.

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.

This building was constructed in the first decade of the 16th century. It was the house of Francisco de Garay, one of Columbus' men. In 1509, Diego Columbus, viceroy at the time, lived in it. In 1586, during Sir Francis Drake's invasion of the island, it housed the scale used to weigh all the valuables which would be paid as ransom to free the city. After a long and varied history, the government rented the building to the Banco Popular, which has a branch currently located there. The most striking feature of the building is the doorway which framed by stone beautifully carved into the shape of a rope.

Designed by architect Joe Gleave, this monument was erected in remembrance of the great explorer Christopher Columbus. El Faro a Colón or the Colombus Lighthouse is a cross-shaped 46-meter tall (150 feet) structure, constructed of completely white marble. It is where the remains of the Columbus were kept after his tomb was moved from the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor in the year 1992. At night, powerful lights illuminate this Christian edifice and project its shadow against the sky. Areas inside the monument are used as exhibition rooms, archives, a library and a museum.

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