OVERVIEW

Enhance your knowledge of Santo Domingo’s colonial past by visiting landmarks that shed light on events that shaped the capital over the centuries. As an introduction, you will pause for photos at the Columbus Lighthouse, which honors the famed explorer even though Columbus’ brother Bartholomew founded Santo Domingo in 1496. Continuing on into the Colonial Zone, you will visit the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, a 16th-century architectural gem that is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. It supposedly contained the remains of Christopher Columbus before they were moved into his namesake lighthouse. For an even deeper look into the past, you will watch an immersive 4D animated movie at the Colonial Gate Cinema that goes into great detail regarding Sir Francis Drake’s invasion of Santo Domingo in 1586. While walking through the Colonial Zone, be sure to notice its simple grid layout, which became a model for almost all New World cities.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Snap photos at the Columbus Lighthouse honoring the famed Italian explorer.
• Browse the interior of the oldest cathedral in the Americas.
• Watch a 4D animated movie about Sir Francis Drake’s invasion of Santo Domingo.
• Notice the city’s grid layout, which earned it a UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch at a restaurant in the Colonial Zone.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.