Columbus, ancient architecture and hip clubs
Santa Domingo or "La Capital" as it is also called, is the largest and also the most famous city in the Dominican Republic.
Santa Domingo was founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus, Christopher Columbus' brother, making it the very first city in the Americas. For that reason, you can enjoy the impressive 16th-century architecture of this historic city. In the heart of Santa Domingo is the Zona Colonial, where you can admire, among other things, one of the oldest churches and the oldest surviving European fortress. The palace of Diego Columbus, son of the famous Christopher Columbus is also worth a visit. Between the cobblestone streets, you would almost forget that Santo Domingo is in the Caribbean. Yet it is an intensely urban city, home to not only colonial-era architecture but also hip clubs, vibrant cultural institutions and elegant restaurants.
