i Dominican Republic - travelfilm.de

de la Castilla, who aptly earned the
appelation “Juana la loca”, wife of Felipe
el hermoso. This artifact is currently on
public display at the Museo de las Casas
Reales, more than three centuries after
Spain’s twilight in Hispaniola.
Downhill on Calle Las Damas, to the
right, is the Puerta de San Diego. This
portal, constructed between 1540 and
1555, allowed to the walled city from the
harbor.
To the left is the Plaza de la Contratación
(The Trading Post) and, continuing to
Calle Isabel la Católica, La Casa del
Cordón dating to the early 16th century.
It is the first residential property to be
built in Santo Domingo. Its first owner,
Francisco de Garay, arrived with
Christopher Columbus on his first voyage.
According to the historical records,
Garay was also the notary public in
Hispaniola; he is also known to have
amassed an immense fortune in real
estate. When King Ferdinand appointed
Francisco Tapia mayor of Santo Domingo
de Guzmán, he also asked Don Diego
Colón to vacate his residence at the Torre
del Homenaje. Colon then temporarily
occupied the Casa del Cordón with his
wife and entourage. It was here that his
daughters Felipa and María were born in
1510 and 1511respectively. Nowadays, it
serves as the offices of the Banco Popular
Dominicano, the entity that financed its
restoration. It may be visited at no charge.
El Alcázar, the Prince’s Palace
A few meters away stands the Alcázar
de Colón, grandiose and majestic abode
that Don Diego Colón ordered to be
constructed as his residence. Construction
work on the Alcázar’s began in 1510,
with some 1,500 native Taínos laboring
under the watchful eye of Spanish
architects who were brought to the island
for that purpose.
Work was accomplished with very
rudimentary tools: saws, chisels, and
hammers. This magnificent palace, a
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