In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age
of 38. Now, into their 3rd decade of this
financially independent lifestyle, they invite you
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Santo Domingo Historical District
Dominican Republic
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Map of the second voyage
of Christopher Columbus
This is a map from our
hotel room
in Santo
Domingo, the
capitol of the country Dominican Republic. It shows the second voyage of
Christopher Columbus. The Dominicans are very proud of their connection to this
explorer and his family, as they are an integral part of their nation's history.

Catedral de Santa Maria
la Menor
This beautiful cathedral in
the historical district of
Santo
Domingo
is the oldest in the New World. The son of Christopher Columbus, Diego, laid its
first stone in 1514, and construction was finished in 1540. The facade of this
cathedral is golden coral limestone.

A main feature of the
Parque Colon
This gorgeous church,
dedicated to St. Mary of the Incarnation, has survived pirate attacks and
earthquakes.
The pirate Francis Drake captured the city of Santo Domingo in 1586
and used this cathedral as his headquarters, thereby saving it from destruction.

Sitting under a shade
tree with the Cathedral as a backdrop
There are on-going
disagreements between Spain and the Dominican Republic as to where the remains
of the illustrious navigator, Christopher Columbus lay. According to the
Dominican Republic, they were once housed here at the Cathedral before being
moved to their final resting place in the Faro a Colon.
The walls are solid
limestone and there are twelve side chapels which were added over time. Inside
the church are three aisles and a nave.

Two famous streets meet
at the corner
The Count of Penalba
defeated the British in the 1600s. El Conde means Count and this street,
which is exclusively pedestrian and lined with shops and boutiques, is named in
his honor.
Calle Las Damas, which
means Ladies Street, was the first road created in the Colonial Zone. Fortaleza
Ozama, former noble residences and other colonial buildings line this street.
Noblewoman Maria of Toledo,
wife of Diego Colon and great-niece of King Ferdinand II of Aragon along with
other noblewomen of the time, used to take a stroll down this street every
evening wearing the fashions of the day, hence the name.

Nuns sauntering down the
street
These two nuns, dressed in
their religious habits, are wandering leisurely down the street. One of them is
wearing a sun bonnet. The Cathedral is on the left.


Back view of the
Cathedral
The Cathedral dominates the
Parque Colon square.

The entrance to
Fortaleza Ozama
Fortaleza Ozama is a
sixteenth-century castle built by the Spanish at the entrance to the capitol
city and overlooks the Ozama River. The name means "The Fortress" and is the
oldest formal military construction of European origin in America.
This entrance gate which is
on Calle Damas was originally built in 1608 and is known as the Prevention Gate.

The Tower of Homage
In the center of the
grounds is the medieval style Tower of Homage. This castle was designed to guard
the entrance to the port of Santo Domingo and to defend the city from enemies
coming from the sea. Construction began in 1502 and was completed in 1505.
This castle was so well
built that it served as a prison until the 1960s. Now it is open to the public
as a museum Tuesdays to Sundays, 9am to 5pm.

Alcazar de Colon
The word Alcazar
means citadel or royal place and this limestone building, located on the bluffs
of the Ozama River, dates back to the early 16th century. It was built for Diego
Columbus, Christopher's son, and his family. Diego would go on to become
governor of Santo Domingo.

Once the center of the
Spanish court, this building - which has 24 rooms and open air arcades - is now
the Dominican Republic's most visited museum

Modern day building in
historical district
Calle El Conde is today
lined with modern buildings and boutique shops, of which this is one.
Notice the beautiful
wrought iron on door and windows.

Statue of Christopher
Columbus by French Sculptor, Ernest Gilbert
The Dominican Republic is
the oldest country of the Americas and it was discovered by Christopher Columbus
on his first trip in 1492. The year 1992 marked the 500th anniversary of this
Discovery of America.
This statue stands in the
central square of the historic district in front of the Cathedral. The square
was previously known as Plaza Mayor but was renamed Parque Colon in 1887.

Historical figures in
the historical district
Here we are, a couple of
relics enjoying the historical district of Santo Domingo!

The national flag of the
Dominican Republic
The blue on the flag stands
for liberty, the white for salvation and the red is for the blood of the heroes
of the Dominican Republic. The white cross that runs through the flag is
symbolic of faith. This flag was officially adopted on November 6, 1844.

Billy with a native
Dominican
There are free train rides
for tourists which run through the historical district. This young lady and her
boyfriend were waiting for the next ride, when Billy hopped in and asked for a
photo together.
That Billy! He's so brazen!

Outdoor restaurant
seating
With Santo Domingo in
perpetual summer climate, indoor-outdoor living is everywhere. This restaurant
faces the Alcazar which borders the Ozama River. There is seating on the
rooftops of these restaurants which gives a spectacular view of the lighted city
at night.

Typical menu
Here's a typical menu of
one of the historical center restaurants. There is goat stew, shrimp and chicken
dishes and pastry wrapped chicken and beef. Prices run from $4 to $6USD.

Various country flags
The trio of flags are
posted outside this flower-filled balcony. There is the flag of Italy, the flag
of the Dominical Republic, and the third country flag is a mystery. It can't be
viewed clearly here.
For more stories
and photos of the Dominican Republic, click
here
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