Location: Santiago de los Caballeros
Top Things to do in Santiago de los Caballeros
Top Restaurants in Santiago de los Caballeros
Countries
The 5 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Santiago de los Caballeros, Santiago Province
Motto(s): English, The Heart City, The first Santiago of America;
Restaurants in Santiago de los Caballeros
1. Monumento a los Heroes de la Restauracion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
The Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration is located on Av Las Carreras in the center of the city. It is the image most often associated with the city. I took a taxi from the Caribe Bus Station to visit this area. It takes an hour to visit this attraction as there are many steps, and external sculptures surrounding the site. We walked around the park and visited the external structures before climbing the steps to the main monument. On the north western section of the park is a monument to the Eagles Cibaeñas baseball team. To the right, is another sculpture of three eagles. If you walk in an easterly direction along the path, there are bronze sculptures of what is known as "Santiago traditions". They include a horse and coach with Julio Alberto Hernández (composer), Ercilia Pepín (teacher) and Tomas Morel (Bishop). The other sculptures relate to local traditions e.g. carnival costumes (Lechón Pepinero), ballet, dancing and singing. Follow the path in a southerly direction, along Daniel Espinal, and you will see the impressive equestrian monument dedicated to General Gregorio Luperon (1839-1897). It was on August 16, 1863, a rebel group led by Luperón and Santiago Rodríguez attacked the hill of Capotillo in the Dajabón province, and raised the Dominican flag. This was known as the Grito de Capotillo (Cry of Capotillo), and was the beginning of the two year "Restoration War" which resulted in Dominican independence from Spain. Luperon was the 20th President of the DR, between 1879-80. The 16th August is celebrated annually by Dominicans as their "restoration of independence" day. If you continue south on the path, you will see the Plaza de la Informacion. There are three sculptures in this area. The first is Ñico Lora shown with accordion in hand. He was a famous folk musician and considered one of the fathers of merengue. Next is Manuel del Cabral, who sits on a bench reading a newspaper. He was a poet and writer. The last sculpture is of Yoryi Morel, a painter, who stands with palette in hand. After visiting this plaza, walk up the stairs toward the main monument. The monument was built between 1944-1953, and was intended to celebrate the centenary of independence from Haiti in 1944. It was named, Trujillo’s Monument to Peace, in honour of the president. In 1961, on the death of Trujillo, the monument was renamed, "Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration", to honour the heroes of the 1863-65 war. Extensive renovations were done in 2007, when the 144th anniversary of the start of the war was celebrated, and the many bronze sculptures of former generals and presidents added. The 70 meter high tower is the highlight of the attraction, and the second floor of the building has a library and terrace offering great views of the city. This area was unfortunately closed when I visited. If you are interested in the "Restoration War", another monument can be found in Dajabon, known as the "Monument to the Grito de Capotillo".
2. Centro Leon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Centro Leon is a nonprofit institution that belongs to the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation, which opened its doors in 2003. It's a cultural center that houses four exhibition rooms, a media library, an auditorium, multipurpose lounges, a Caribbean menu cafeteria sand a shop where you can buy selected products, related to and prepared by national art crafters and from the Great Caribbean. In the gardens there's a collection of sculptures, native and endemic plants, with birds and reptiles that make an aviary their home. Besides meeting the standards set by the International Council of Museums and the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization, Centro León carries out a vary of programs and projects related to art, culture and environmental topics, that benefit community development throughout the strengthening of three central focuses: creativity, identity and habitability. Thanks to the cooperation of private donors and partnerships arranged with responsible businesses and cultural institutions in the country and from the world, Centro León works for the Dominicans in a Caribbean context through art and culture. Receives 66,000 visitors on average each year and in its first decade has executed more than 90 national and international exhibitions, not to mention the more than 2,500 public activities that have been organized so far.
Reviewed By annyjose
Centro Leon is one of the finest cultural places in the city. It offers a great quality museum that showcases tradicional culture, history, ecosistem and art. Also has a tobbaco museum, cafeteria, gift store of prominent local artists and offers excellent concerts and activities monthly. Its a great place to visit while in Santiago.
