Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and originally the first City of America. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2002, and is estimated to be 3,813,214 in 2011. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, on the east bank of the Ozama river and then moved by Nicolas de Ovando in 1502 on the west bank of the same river. Known for being the site of the first European settlement in America, and as the first seat of Spanish colonial rule in the New World. It is located within the boundaries of the National District, and the latter in turn borders the province of Santo Domingo.
Santo Domingo was called "Ciudad Trujillo" from 1936 to 1961, due to a change made by the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. Regained its original name in 1963 after the assassination of the tyrant.
Today, Santo Domingo is the largest metropolis in the Dominican Republic, and is the most populous city in the Caribbean followed by Havana. The "Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo Virtual" was the GLOBAL 24 SA, created in collaboration with the tourist cluster Santo Domingo, Audio Guide Dominicana and the Ministry of Culture.
Book, by clicking the "BOOK TOUR" button on top of the Virtual Tour and visit the capital city of Santo Domingo, and marvel at its architectural, historical and cultural wonders. Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and the largest city in the Dominican Republic and the entire Caribbean.
Your tour begins at the "Los Tres Ojos" (three eyes caves), then leads you to visit the house that was built by Columbus, the Catedral de Santa María la Menor and the Christopher Columbus lighthouse.
Soak up the atmosphere of the oldest street of the new world, Calle las Damas, and experience a Dominican market where the bargains are endless and bartering is fun. A fabulous combination of the old mixed with the new with a little bit of history and learning built in.
