Location: Santo Domingo
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What to do and see in Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province: The Best Monuments & Statues
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and a UNESCO world heritage site, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and one of the most populous cities in the Caribbean. The city is a mix of old world charm and modern Latin flair. Its medieval palaces and fortresses mix with nightlife and shopping to rival any modern city in the world. You'll find pristine beaches and hidden gems like a salsa/merengue club set inside a huge underground cave.
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1. Monumento Heroes del 30 de Mayo
2. Jose de San Martin Memorial
3. Agricultural and Japanese Immigration Memorial Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
The Japanese monument is located in Parque De Patinaje Montesinos on Paseo Presidente Billini, The monument is to the right of the San Jose fort. It is a unique monument to the history of Japanese immigration to the DR. A stone to the left of the path leading to the sculpture, states the title of the monument. To the left of the monument is a plaque which lists the names of approximately 90 families. It also makes reference to the date of 26 July 1956, when the first batch of 249 Japanese families arrived in the DR. It also mentions the conditions which caused some families to leave the DR, and praises the sacrifice of the families who remained. The sculpture is of a family of four; husband, wife, son and baby. The man stands with a hoe in hand. All persons are clothed in traditional Japanese outfits. This monument was installed on 23 July 2012, to mark the 56th anniversary of the arrival of the immigrants. In 1954, advertisements were placed in Japanese newspapers encouraging families to immigrate to the Dominican Republic, which was described as a Caribbean paradise. A total of 259 families (1,319 people) were selected for the program, which promised agricultural land, housing and credit for the first year of farming. On 29 July 1956, the first 28 families (186 persons) arrived by ship. The journey took one month from Japan, and over the next four years, all families were settled. The names of the ships which did the trip include; Africa Maru, Brasil Maru, America Maru and Argentina Maru. There were eight settlements for the Japanese, with most near the border with Haiti. The promises of the government were not met in full, as many parcels of land were not arable and housing was not available to all immigrants. In 1961, when President Trujilio died, there were attacks on the Japanese, who were spoken of positively by the leader. In 1961, there was political instability in the country, and 70 Japanese families decided to relocate to other countries of the Americas, while 111 families returned home to Japan. The remaining families decided to stay in the DR. These families had to wait almost forty years for the promises of the government to be kept. In 1998, the "Luisa Project" distributed land to the Japanese settlers in Luisa, Santo Domingo. Only 27 families, accepted land whilst the remainder sued the Japan Government. The case was successful, and resulted in a written apology to the remaining families, and monetary compensation. The Japanese are respected for their work ethic and values, and are a small but important part of Dominican society. Other nearby attractions include, the bust of Fray Antonio de Montesino, a short walk north, the centenary anniversary of independence bowl sculpture in San Jose Park and the statue of Fray Antonio de Montesino, on the opposite side of the road.
4. El Obelisco
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 205 reviews
A sculpture of a male figure next to the female La Obelisca constructed on the Malecón during Trujillo's reign.
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
This monument is known locally as the "Obelisco Macho". It is located at the intersection of Av. George Washington and Pdte. Vicini Burgos. This area is a short walk west on the Malecon. The 137 foot tall obelisk was built in 1935 to recognise the renaming of the city from Santo Domingo to Trujillo City. It is a landmark in the city and a must see. The monument is difficult to access, as it is on a roundabout in the middle of a busy street. The monument was originally bone white in colour, but was repainted in 1997, and rededicated to the memory of the Mirabel Sisters. The obelisk was painted with “A Song to Liberty” by Elsa Nuñez. It shows the three sisters who were murdered by the dictator in 1960, and was opened in time to celebrate "International Women’s Day". On each side of the monument are portraits of the sisters. The eastern side has the image of butterflies. The sisters called themselves "Las Mariposas" ("The Butterflies"), based on Minerva's code name. The western side of the monument features the three sisters and white doves representing peace being released near to the top of the obelisk. The southern side, shows a sister playing a flute, with a Dominican flag above, and again the image of butterflies at the top. The monument was restored in 2011 by Dustin Muñoz. The sisters; Minerva, María Teresa, and Patria, are recognised as National Heroines in the DR. Patria started the Movement of the Fourteenth of June, after witnessing the death of a rebel in the 14 June 1959 invasion of the rebel group led by Commander Enrique Jiménez Moya. The resistance activities of the group, led to the arrest of the President -Manolo Justo, who was also the husband of Minerva. The sisters were murdered in 1960, in la Cumbre after visiting Justo in the San Felipe Fort prison in Puerto Plata. The sisters death unified the resistance and Trujillo was assassinated six months later in May 1961. The date that the sisters were murdered, 25th November, was recognised by Unesco in 1999, as "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women". Another monument to the sisters can be seen at the center of Heroes. The sisters remains were buried at their house just outside of Santiago. Other monuments include a memorial at the site that they were murdered in La Cumbre, and a memorial in Puerto Plata at the site where they were arrested with their driver, on the date of their death. The 200 Dominican pesos bill features the sisters, and Hermanas Mirabal subway station in Santo Domingo is named in their honour. Other attractions nearby include the Park of Eugenio Maria de Hostos and the Jack Veneno statue in the southern section of the park.
5. Statue of Christopher Columbus
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
6. Monumento A Los Heroes Del 14 De Junio
7. Statue of Salome Urena de Henriquez
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
Located in the Plaza of Poetry, at the entrance to the colonial. Precisely in this square of Poetry rose this statue, a tribute to the great Dominican poet born in 1850.
