First Period (1844-1865):

The most important buildings of these neighborhoods were remnants of bygone times still reflected in Santo Domingo today:

• The cathedral Catedral Metropolitana Santa María de la Encarnación: Construction lasted from 1523 until 1541. Gothic style structure with Italian-style main facade decorated with Renaissance touches. Two other doors show a Gothic influence and another is in Plasencia-style. Corner of Arzobispo Meriño and Isabel La Católica Streets.



• The fort palace Fortaleza Colón or Palacio Don Diego Colón: Built at the beginning of the XVI Century XVI. Mudéjar (Andalusian/Muslim) style. Located in the Plaza de España at the end of Las Damas Street.



• San Nicolás de Bari Hospital: Finished construction in 1522. Corner of Hostos and Luperón Streets.



• The Royal Dockyards (Las Reales Atarazanas): Situated on the corner of Colón and Vicente Celestino Duarte Streets. Received the first contract for dock services in the New World.



• Royal Households (Casas Reales). Housed the Royal Courts and General Headquarters of the colony. Corner of Las Damas and Mercedes Streets. Dates from the first quarter of the XVI Century.



• Cordón House: Dates from 1503. Corner of Isabel La Católica and Emiliano Tejera Streets.



• The convent Imperial Convento de Santo Domingo: Dates from the start of the XVI Century. Its chapel Capilla del Rosario contains Plasencia-style ornamentation.



• Palacio Consistorial: Dates from 1504. Erected to serve as a residence for the Mayor.



• The Mint (Casa de Monedas): Dates from 1540. Its entry is in Plasencia-style.
• The monastery Monasterio de San Francisco: Located on a small hill, which made this building an important visual reference for the city. Corner of Hostos and Emiliano Tejera Streets.



• Borgellá Palace: Dates from the XVI Century. The Haitian Governor Borgellá turned it into the seat of government (1822-1844), submitting the building to substantial changes. The building has French-style arcades in front, an inheritance of the Haitian presence. It was the seat of the Royal Court during the period of annexation to Spain (1861-1863). Number 103 Isabel La Católica Street.



• Tostado House: Dates from the first years of Santo Domingo's existence. Made of masonry and stone, has Gothic style window on its North facade. Corner of Padre Billini and Arzobispo Meriño Streets.



• The church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen: Dates back to colonial times. Corner of Arzobispo Nouel and Sánchez Streets.
• The church Iglesia del Convento Regina Angelorum: Dates from the 18th Century. The main facade is in a Plasencia-style with Baroque elements and is made of in ashlar stone (sillería). Corner of Padre Billini and José Reyes Streets.



• The chapel Capilla de la Tercera Orden de los Dominicos: Its present structure dates from 1729. The facade of the temple is in a very sober and simple Baroque style. Corner of Padre Billini and Duarte Streets.



• The church Iglesia del Convento de Santa Clara: Dates from the third quarter of the XVI Century. Corner of Padre Billini and Isabel La Católica Streets.



• The Jesuit church Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús or the Panteón Nacional: Dates from the start of the 18th Century. Served as a theater for the staging of many pro-independence plays. Corner of Las Damas Street and María de Toledo Plaza.



• The chapel Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios: Dates from the XVI Century. Was the private chapel of the Dávila Family. Has a facade with double arch that is repeated in the interior of the chapel. Corner of Las Damas and Las Mercedes Streets in the small plaza Plazoleta del Reloj del Sol.



• The church Iglesia de Santa Bárbara: Dates from the end of the XVI Century. Corner of Isabel La Católica Street and España Avenue.



• The church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia: Connected to the San Nicolas de Bari Hospital. Its architectural style represnts a hybrid between Old Gothic and Byzantine. Corner of Hostos and Las Mercedes Streets.



• The convent and church Convento e Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes: The church was built between 1527 and 1555. It is notable for its high quadrangular tower. Corner of Las Mercedes and Luperón Streets.



• The chapel Capilla de la Soledad: Dates from the 17th Century. On Las Mercedes Street in the atrium of the convent Convento de Las Mercedes.



• The church Iglesia de San Miguel: Dates from the middle of the 17th Century. Corner of José Reyes and Juan Isidro Pérez Streets.