During your stay in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, you should not miss the Santa Maria de la Asuncion Cathedral built by the Spanish colonists between 1514 and 1540. It is one of the very first religious buildings ever built in the region. It is also here that archaeologists found the remains of Christopher Columbus.
An unmissable visit to Santo Domingo
The Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Asuncion in Santo Domingo represents an important page in the history of this small Central American country. The building is a combination of Gothic and Baroque styles, with coral from the ocean used to build the walls of the cathedral. The building is magnificent and visitors can also admire the beautiful wooden sculptures. For many years, the cathedral housed the remains of Christopher Columbus before they were stored in a gigantic funerary monument called the Faro de Colon. The latter is located on the other side of the Ozama River. It is also interesting to note that, after the death of the great explorer, his remains were brought back to Spain in Seville. However, since one of his last wishes was to be buried in the New World, his body was brought back to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, where it still rests today.
Visit Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
The Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Asuncion is located in the southwestern neighborhoods in the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, and more specifically on Arzabispo Merino Street, which is the name of one of the archbishops of the colonial period. If you opt for an unorganized trip to the Dominican Republic, be sure to put this sightseeing on your agenda. Visiting hours are variable and you can opt for a guided tour of the interior of the cathedral. It is mandatory to wear decent clothes to visit it (shorts are not allowed). After this visit, you will know everything about the history of the Dominican Republic. Indeed, precious works of art, relics, and souvenirs testify to the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island.
Places rich in history
It would be heresy not to take a tour to the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Asuncion because it is a place rich in history. There, you will have the opportunity to discover the past of the city and the whole island. A trip to the Alcazar de Colon museum near the cathedral is certainly one of the best things to do on the island. Visitors can admire valuable works of art, ranging from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.