Alcázar de Colón

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Colonial City of Santo Domingo


State Party =
Type = Cultural
Criteria = ii, iv, vi
ID = 526
Region = Latin America and the Caribbean
Year = 1990
Session = 21st
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/526

The Alcázar de Colón or—Columbus Alcazar is an impressive construction of coralline blocks that once housed some fifty rooms and a number of gardens and courtyards, although what remains today is about half the size it once was. It was built under Diego Colón, the son of Christopher Columbus; when he became governor of La Española and the Indies in 1509, he ordered the construction of a family home and governor’s mansion between 1510 and 1512.

During the early Spanish colonial period, the mansion occupied a very important place in history. It was from here that many expeditions of conquest and exploration were planned. In 1586 the palace was sacked by Sir Francis Drake and his forces. As the influence of Santo Domingo waned, the house fell into ruins, and by the mid eighteenth century was abandoned and in danger of rotting away. Fortunately, it was rescued and extensively restored between 1955 and 1957.

The home is filled with colonial art and artifacts and is one of the can’t-miss stop on any Santo Domingo tour. Check out the portraits of Ferdianand and Isabela in the elegant Salón de Las Doncellas, and be sure to see the old musical instruments and armor. There are good English-speaking guides available.

See also

*Colonial City of Santo Domingo