Custom Search

Santiago Dominican Republic

Santiago Dominican Republic is a very important province in the country. This province can be found in the north area of the Dominican Republic. The place is surrounded by the province of Puerto Plata to the north, the provinces of Valverde and Santiago Rodriguez to the west, the provinces of San Juan and La Vega to the south and to the east the province of Espaillat. Santiago consists of 9 mayor towns which are: Janico, Villa Bisono, Villa Gonzales, Tamboril, Licey, San Jose de las Matas, Santiago de los Caballeros, Punal and Sabana Iglesia. Among all these towns Santiago de los Caballeros is known to be popular one.
 

The City

Santiago Dominican Republic is also the name of the one known to be the second most important city in the Dominican Republic only surpassed by the capital Santo Domingo.
The city is one of the main destinations of many tours that originate from other well known Dominican areas like Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana.

The Cibao international airport also known as the Santiago Dominican Republic airport is located there and is a relevant access point to the other important cities and the Samana peninsula. Santiago is not only big but is also a major commercial center in the Dominican Republic. The tobacco and the agriculture industry are known to be biggest industries in the area. 

Unlike the other previously mentioned cities Santiago is not near the coast as the area is surrounded by mountains. These mountains have protected the area from the rage of hurricanes that have gone through it in the past.

History of Santiago

Santiago Dominican Republic should not be mistaken with other Spanish speaking cities that have a similar name. This city is very old and was named by Christopher Columbus around 1495. Originally this city was located near the Yaque River but later it was relocated near the Jacagua River. Sometime after that around 1506 it was relocated once more to the present location due to an earthquake.

The actual name of the city is Santiago de los 30 caballeros; the reason for the name is that thirty Spanish knights were the inhabitants of the city in the census taken near the year 1514. These knights were quite upset with the conditions they had to deal with in the colony. According to the knights testimony their weapons were taken away and were forced to do manual labor which was considered to be demeaning to their status as the sole purpose of the knights is to participate in battles and not in common tasks. The king was sympathetic with their plea and restored everything that was taken from them.

This city also played a very important role in the independence of the country. It was the capital city of the country during the “Guerra de la Restauracion” and was the scenario of important ancient battles like the “Batalla de Santiago” and “Batalla del 30 de marzo” which consolidated the independence of the country.

There are several things that you can see in Santiago Dominican Republic. One of the most memorable visuals is the monument called “monumento a los heroes de la restauracion”. Originally called “monumento a la paz de Trujillo” the master piece was erected by the orders of the famous dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. Once the dictator was assassinated the name of the monument was changed to its actual name, in remembrance of the independence obtained from Spain in the “Guerra de la Restauracion”. This construction is located at the entrance of the city and is approximately 70 meters high. In the inside you can find several murals created by the Spanish painter Vela Zanetti. There are approximately 365 steps all the way to the top.

Where to visit - Things to do in Santiago Dominican Republic

The Tomas Morel museum is another must to visit in the Santiago area. In the museum you can appreciate artifacts from the early colonial times plus several masks typically used for the Dominican Republic carnival festivities. The carnival at Santiago is another must to visit. The celebrations include people dressing as characters invented by the town’s citizens and walking down the street dancing around.

The Cathedral of Santiago is another architecture masterpiece you have to admire. If you love antique forts the San Luis Fort Museum should not be missed. This ancient construction from colonial times was later used as a prison but today is a relic from a different era.

You cannot miss the theater called “Gran Teatro del Cibao”. This incredible construction located in Santiago Dominican Republic is made of marble and is the scenario for several national and international artists. If you love shopping and getting souvenirs you have to go “El mercado modelo”. This is a shopping area where you can get all kinds of manually designed crafts for a low price.

Another popular attraction is the Tobacco museum; this place exhibits the different methodologies used to produce the highest quality tobacco and how this product has impacted the economical development of the town.

One of the oldest and most interesting traditions in the city is carriages pulled by horses. Long ago they were used as a means of transportation but now are the reminders of old times. These carriages are located near Colon park, in front the Cibao Theater. Getting around Santiago Dominican Republic can be a bit tricky but fortunately for you there are many alternatives. You can rent a car for 40 to 100 USD per day but you must know there are certain requirements needed like a driver’s license, credit cards and passport. That alternative is not recommended if is your first time in the Dominican Republic as getting used to their way of driving can be a tough job. A cheaper and safer choice is to use a bus or guagua. A trip in a bus can cost from 1 to 10 dollars and it travels to the known places in town.

Custom Search

Site Map | Disclaimer | Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact us