Santo Domingo

In 1496, a Genoese admiral founded the first European city in the New World, a stronghold where the Americas began to write their own history. Today, Santo Domingo challenges you to walk those same streets, to unearth the secrets that the Spanish Crown sowed more than five hundred years ago and that still beat beneath your feet. Cross the threshold of the Casa del Cordón, the oldest stone house in the Western Hemisphere, and feel the echo of the first colonizers. Investigate the Palacio Nacional, where the modern history of a vibrant nation was forged. Enter the Alcázar de Colón, the fortress that housed the discoverer's son, and decipher the enigmas of a life of conquest and power. Every cobblestone in the Zona Colonial is a portal to an era of exploration, unwavering faith, and battles for survival. Discover the oldest sundial in America, The Sundial of Santo Domingo, and synchronize your pulse with the time of the conquistadors. Solve the mysteries held by Plaza Duarte and the imposing Plaza de la Bandera, stages of struggles for freedom. Walk the corridors of the Palacio Episcopal, a House of Presidents that has witnessed centuries of momentous decisions. Santo Domingo has cultural points of interest and challenges waiting for you. Are you ready to be the next great explorer of America's first city?