The "Zona Colonial", or historic centre

Ciudad Colonial, a historical centre This historical enclave is a town within the capital city, and its wealth of monuments has earned it a place on UNESCO's heritage list. © OT Republique Dominicaine

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Santo Domingo de Guzman, founded by Don Bartholomew Colombo, Governor of the Frontier Land in 1496, is the New World's first ever city. The 'Zona Colonial', built in 1502 by Nicolas de Ovando, is a city within the city which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the capital city's monument-rich historical enclave. It only covers 1 sq mi but guarantees delightful strolls. Its cobbled streets and the hundred year old façades of colonial houses form the backdrop for picturesque bars and cafés, restaurants and hotels sometimes housed within historic monuments. Half a day, at a fast walking pace, is necessary to visit the zone, though it is also nice to take an evening stroll, when the bars get lively and the monuments light up, except when there is a power cut, which is fairly often out of tourist season (July-August), due to financial restraints.

The points of interest are concentrated within three main streets:
In the heart of the pedestrian street Calle de Las Damas, you will be able to admire the old fortress Fuerte Del Homenaje (also known as 'Fortaleza'), Casa de Bastidas and Palacio de los Capitanes, or Casa de Ovando which houses a superb hotel, and its famous Isabellian-Gothic style gate.
Calle Isabela la Catolica is the street where Santa Maria la Menor's cathedral stands, built in 1518, Primada de America (the island's emblematic monument), Palacio de Borgella, San Francisco's impressive remains, Casa Del Duarte and Santa Barbara's church.
In Calle Padre Billini, do not miss Regina Angelorum's church, the building which took over 200 years to build, Los Dominicos's church, seat of the first university in the Americas, Casa de Tostado, Santa Clara's church, Casa de Las Monedas and finally the house of Tapao with its legend of the mysterious man in the iron mask.