Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
The palace of Diego Columbus — the oldest viceregal residence in the Americas
Type
Historical Site
Location
Plaza de España, Colonial Zone
Entrance Fee
RD$100 (~$2 USD)
Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, closed Mondays
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Time
Morning for softer light and fewer crowds
Difficulty
Easy
Established
1510
Guided Tours
Available
Accessibility
Ground floor is accessible; upper floors require stairs
Category
Museum / Palace
The Alcázar de Colón stands majestically at the end of Calle Las Damas in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, overlooking the Ozama River. Built between 1510 and 1514 for Diego Columbus — Christopher Columbus's eldest son and the first Viceroy of the Indies — it is the oldest viceregal residence in the Americas.
This stunning coral limestone palace was constructed without a single nail, using only locally quarried coral rock. After centuries of use, abandonment, and restoration, it now serves as a museum housing an impressive collection of 16th-century European art, period furniture, and artifacts that tell the story of the early colonial era.
The Alcázar de Colón is a 16th-century palace in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, built for Diego Columbus (son of Christopher Columbus). It served as the seat of the Spanish colonial government and is now a museum.
Admission is RD$100 (about $2 USD). It's one of the best value museum experiences in the Dominican Republic.