The Fortaleza Ozama

The Fortaleza Ozama is a great historic monument that belongs to the history of the Dominican Republic. Located in the city of Santo Domingo, It is one of the more ancient than to the history of this, It was built by the Spanish in colonial times. It is now considered a world heritage site, like other monuments of this Colonial City. Known as the military building more ancient and consummate island,  which gave way to the conquest of the Americas.

It was built when Nicolás de Ovando was Governor of the island, between the years 1502 and 1507.  Who ordered the uprising to protect the city from attacks by pirates and Corsairs, he besieged the place. Carlos III door, one of the most ancient entrances of the city, never was attacked. It thus became the first military building of Europe in America.

It is separated from the Ozama River by a stone wall, in honor of this river was given its name. Inside the fortress you can appreciate a great garden where is the statue of Don Gonzalo Fernández. Which was carved in bronze, This was a famous 16TH-century chronicler, author of the first history of the Americas.

As is made up

The Fortaleza Ozama is composed of the Tower of homage, a solid medieval tower of coral stone. This square building dates from 1503 and it contains an iron spiral staircase. From the top of its 18 meters can be admired throughout the city and the river.

Not only at the time of the colonization is you gave use of jail to this monument. Was also used by the dictator Trujillo, He was President of the Republic, whom, in 1937, He reinforced it with a crenellated wall and turned it into a prison up to 1970.
At the time of colonization was called Torre del Homenaje, in honor to the Spanish conquistadors. But later it was also called the Watchtower or surveillance Tower. Since that was observed the entrance of the Ozama River and the coast of the Caribbean Sea from the top.

The story keeps you somewhere special to this important monument.

Like all military compound, can't miss places intended to deprive individuals of freedom. For this reason, the Fortaleza Ozama was provided with various dungeons and dungeons. Where some personalities as a prisoner were held as,  Cristóbal Colón and his brothers Bartolomé and Diego, by order of the Commander Francisco de Bobadilla.

In addition, among the notable prisoners who were locked up there are Juan Isidro Pérez de la Paz, Pedro Alexandrian pineapple, Ramón Matías Mella, Francisco de el Rosario Sánchez, John the Evangelist Jimenez, Gregorio Delvalle and J. J. Illas. Among other notable Dominican who fought for national independence.

The colossal work was the starting point, so the other fortresses that were built in the country, they are used also as prison enclosures. Which is maintained today, Since the majority of prisons in the Dominican prison system are within military premises and custody of inmates is the responsibility of the military personnel stationed at those places.

Special feature of the Fortaleza Ozama

The Fortaleza Ozama has an appearance of medieval castle stone, which is still preserved in its original form. Once inside we can find that are a set of tunnels and dungeons which were used to isolate the prisoners. Where was Cristóbal Colón imprisoned for a time there.

The fortress is part of the culture  and monuments you tell the story of the discovery of America.

This fortress is composed of several areas and structures as the statue of Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, The powder keg, and what is the Torre del Homenaje. Is also what is strong in Santiago. Where are the ruins of the first work and El Portal de Carlos III.

The huge statue in the Fortaleza Ozama for Fernando de Oviedo. This constituted hollow bronze. This statue dates here since the first visit of the Kings of Spain in 1976.

Military and structural characteristics could care for years the colony.

The Fortaleza Ozama in its portion right is is what is called the Tinderbox of Santa Barbara. Place where it was stored what was then Spanish armament. This was built in the 1787  by King Carlos III, King of Spain. Something strategic was give him the appearance of a church so them Pirates of the era not suspected that here is kept the armament Spanish. With walls of 3 meters high and a foot of thickness, the only part that varies in these measures are around the river. It says according to the difference of this, was in case of explosion. This weak area would cause the least damage, causing the collapse to the single river of this structure, within this patron saint of Gunners there is an image of Santa Barbara.

The Tower of homage

This tower is built with coral stone, with the ability to absorb the damp.  It has the ability to keep the interior with cool temperatures. To paste these stones will use what is gypsum, clay, lime and blood of animals to strengthen as time passes. The wall of this structure is of 1 Metro and half of thickness, being fairly safe and well built. As the time is advancing the structure is made more resistant. In this single tower was repaired the roof, which at the time was damaged.  The
function more important was the of surveillance. Since you can see the introduction of the Ozama River and the coast of the Caribbean. Referred to Cristóbal Colón I use the second floor of this to live for a while.

The keep was built in honour to those who decided to conquer the new world.

A historic datum points that during the term of the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo was used as a prison for political opponents. By the name which this tapeworm was feared since called the cell of the last goodbye. Also in this area was enclosed during the occupation of Haiti Juan Pablo Duarte.

The Tower has many surprises in store design. As it was the surveillance system, in which you could not see anything from the outside inwards. But the security guard inside could see perfectly all your around, can shoot at their targets without problems. This was possible by the use of a light system that caused darkness inside the Tower. The water tower is expelled through holes called gargorlas in order to frighten superior beings.

 Strong Santiago

The Fortaleza Ozama also has with what is the strong Santiago, was the area of Defense main,  This fortress. Here were 24 hours watching the entrance to the city in search of an abnormality in this place. The portal of the fortress is the same era without any modification with the exception of the doors that were changed in the 1533. They were replaced several times. The enormous doors are made from African ebony that will withstand the weather, moisture and pests.

Something that can be seen is the presence of impact of bullets due to the war that was developed in the 1965.

Location

It is located in the Calle Las Damas,  First Street in the new world, in the Colonial zone of Santo Domingo city.

How to get there:

You need to head to the city of Santo Domingo, then you move to the Calle Las Damas of the  Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo and in the first street of the New world you will find this majestic monument, symbol of the history of an America that was beginning to take its first steps at the foot of this fortress.

When it comes to undertake this destination we recommend carrying:

Water

Clothes to choose, with which you feel most comfortable.

Closed-toe shoes or sandals.

Sunglasses.

Tour suitable for all the family.

• If you feel lost road to the Fortaleza Ozama, We recommend that you navigate with the locals, They kindly indicate the road.