In the beginning of America the Alcazar de Colon and the Plaza de España witnessed that nascent civilization, of the first settlers to leave a known world in Europe, for the promise of gold and riches that they could never have got in their homeland. It was erected at a strategic point in the city of Santo Domingo near the mouth of the Ozama River . Mudejar Gothic style marked by characteristics of the Renaissance and Elizabethan style. This great building was concerned with Don Diego de Colón, eldest son of the admiral who served as administrator of the West Indies by order of King Ferdinand the Catholic.

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 Alcazar de Colón importance and history

Called by some as the Virreal Palace of Don Diego Colón. The Alcázar de Colón is a EPIC building built in the city of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, in times of colonization worthy of honor, for the authorities who came to the New World.

Who ordered the construction of the Alcázar Colón or the Viceregal Palace?

Began to build at the end of 1510, in a solar that is found located at shores of the river Ozama. King Ferdinand the Catholic was the one who ordered the construction of the Alcázar de Colón as a gift to Diego Colón.  Already in 1512 was inhabited by Don Diego Colón and his family, who by then was serving as Viceroy of the Indies, third Governor of Hispaniola. First-born son of the so-called discoverer of the Americas, the navigator Christopher Columbus, the man who changed history.

Alcazar de Colon, It was the first building of the Spanish monarchy in America.

From Europe to America, from Spain to the Dominican Republic, Thus began the New World in The Colonial zone.

Europeans were the first to enter Atlantic waters moved by historical background, that prevented Europe from continuing to trade with Asia, especially China. It was the taking of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks on 29 may year 1,453 that forced Europeans to seek new routes through Africa and the West Atlantic Ocean. The Portuguese began their explorations bordering the coasts of Africa, which allowed them to settle some colonies on that continent. He was a young sailor of Italian origin, born in the city of sailors of Genoa, named Christopher Columbus. Who promised the court of the Catholic kings Queen Elizabeth I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, reach the Indies by the western Atlantic Ocean.

It was like this 3 August three caravels left the Port of Palos, arriving in America lands a 12 October when they made landfall in Guanahaní today Bahamas and later arrived in Cuba and Hispaniola thus resulting in what is known as the discovery of the New World.

Architecture, construction and materials used in the Viceregal Palace

The imposing building is a rectangular two-level construction, It has five arches in each level and an air of solemnity and sobriety, the main staircase is generously sized and U-shaped. In addition, has two staircases, one in the form of snail and the third which is smaller, on the ground floor the Maria Chapel of Toledo is recreated.

The colossal pantheon was built with coral stones, from the quarries of Santa Barbara. Also use limestone and wood, While its construction under the supervision of Spanish architects. The walls are approximately 85 cm in width and an area of 1.525 square meters. The main entrance is in late Gothic style and highlights an arc, framed by decorative motifs carved in stone.

The Alcazar de Colon is Columbus in the new world the only known residence of a member of the family making it a historical monument.

Protective walls of the Alcázar de Colón.

The Alcazar de Colon was the home for three generations of the Colón family, from 1512 up to 1577. Date on which was abandoned by the family Columbus, that I return to Spain for health reasons.

During the invasion of Francis Drake, in 1586, the quarterdeck was under siege and the pirates ended up looting it. Subsequently the abandonment that suffered significantly damaged its infrastructure.

With the passage of time and after several renovations, in 1870 it is declared a National Monument.

Importance of the Alcázar de Colón Museum

Currently the importance of the Alcázar de Colón museum lies in the mission of investigating and preserving the historical memory related to the Viceregal period in the Dominican Republic, to be able to guide Dominicans and foreigners about the historical importance of this museum and the memories that lie at its foundations.

TheAlcazar de Colon  was the first house built of this type in Dominican Republic.

It is located in the Plaza Spain, at the northern end of the street Ladies.  Facing the river Ozama, in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.

Tourism in the Alcazar of Colon, What to do?

The Colonial Viceregal Palace in its museum offers you the opportunity to delve into the colonial history of the time in one of their 22 islands that make up the first level, full of typical utensils of the time. On the second level you will find a reception room, a small chapel and the bedroom or matrimonial bedroom of doña María de Toledo.

From outside the palace you can walk around and enjoy the architecture and construction of the time, of its walls and forts.

Or enjoy walking through Plaza España and delving through the colonial streets to other destinations such as The Fortaleza Ozama, The Primada Cathedral or Calle de Las Damas.

Experience of the team Dehovi:

Those destinations that involve monuments within its attractions are interesting and educational. Well, with them we travel through time to a story that we do not know and we try to imagine. How was life back then, as the citizens of the time were able to build this monument and at the same time it represented for them. Is the same sensation that is felt when these facing the alcazar. You can imagine the colonial era and try to get into how the first Europeans hardly took their first steps in America.

Being in front of more than five centuries of culture and history, in a monument that was silent witness of the history of America. Touring the Colonial area of the first new world Santo Domingo. To see the buildings and streets that make up this cultural treasure of humanity, It is a privilege for those who have the opportunity one day to know this destination and to be able to live in itself the history that its streets and buildings keep..

 Alcazar de Colón how to get there:

You must go to the Calle Las Damas, Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. And in the first street of America you will find with this Palace colonial.

Alcazar Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and on sundays it opens at 9:00 am until 4:00 PM.

The entry cost is 100 weights, price may vary on the date you visit, children with less than 8 years do not pay.

If you visit the museum take balls, roller skates, bicycle or anything else. Your children will thank you, having fun in La Plaza España an ideal place to play outdoors.

When visiting the Viceregal Palace of Colón we recommend you bring:

Water

T-Shirt

Long sports trousers.

Closed-toe shoes or sandals.

Sunglasses.

Tour suitable for all the family.

• In case you feel lost on the way to the Alcazar de Colon, you recommend using Google maps or guide is with them citizens, They kindly indicate the road.