The capital of the Dominican Republic

After a hurricane destroyed most of Santo Domingo's wooden buildings in 1502, the then-governor, Nicolás de Ovando, began rebuilding on the opposite shore. He designed the newly founded Santo Domingo according to the ideal urban planning principles of the Renaissance, with streets arranged at right angles and a central square. This type of layout was the first of its kind in the Americas.

Santo Domingo was elevated to a bishopric in 1504 and five years later became the capital of the newly founded Viceroyalty of New Spain. As a political, economic, and intellectual center, Santo Domingo experienced unparalleled growth over the next 30 years. Many of the buildings still standing today date back to the 16th century. These include the hospital with its cathedral – the Alcázar de Colón – and the oldest church in the Americas, which is now only a ruin.

In 1538, by decree of Pope Paul III, the first university in the Americas was established in the building that now houses the Dominican monastery. Many buildings constructed in the style of that era, along with most of the city center, fell victim to a devastating hurricane in 1930. The first restoration efforts began shortly after 1967. Examples include the restoration of the Alcázar (the Viceroy's Palace) and the Casa de Cordón.

The historic city center is the Plaza Maria de Toledo, featuring a large bronze Columbus monument. The two main shopping streets, Calle El Conde and Calle Arzobispo Meriño, intersect here. The entire south side is occupied by the squat structure of the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Menor.