The stories about the architectural monuments and interesting museums of the Old Town — the Zona Colonial — are arranged in this Guide as one of the possible walking routes, with each site located not far from the next. Enjoy your walk!
A stroll through the Colonial Zone most often begins at Columbus Park — Parque Colón. In the centre of the park stands a monument to Christopher Columbus, made of bronze and granite.
The monument was installed in 1887. The four ships positioned at the corners of the pedestal symbolise Columbus’s four sea voyages. At the feet of the great navigator stands the figure of a Taíno woman, representing the island’s indigenous people.
TIP: In Columbus Square, you can take spectacular photographs with the pigeons. These birds are treated kindly in the Dominican Republic, so they are not afraid of people. All you need to do is stand in the square and scatter a small handful of maize — corn kernels, sold in colmados, the little shops found on almost every corner — and within moments clouds of pigeons will descend upon you. Stretch your arms forward or out to the sides, holding the bird treats in your palms, and the pigeons will begin landing directly on your hands. All that remains is to record the evidence of your friendship with nature.
Incidentally, according to a well-established local tradition, many newlyweds in Santo Domingo have their wedding photographs taken in Columbus Park. While the photographer carefully arranges the bride and groom, an energetic Dominican man — earning a little extra money this way — scatters birdseed around them.
Once enough pigeons have gathered, the “Man in Charge of Pigeons” begins banging loudly on an empty tin can… And thereby produces the perfect shot.
The bride stands against a background of flying birds, holding down her veil and the billowing hem of her wedding dress with both hands — as though she were standing beside a working helicopter… The immortal image of Marilyn Monroe… An idyllic picture for the pacifists of the world…
But seriously, watching this performance is fantastically enjoyable. A global dose of positivity on a universal scale.
TIP: If you feel like sitting informally on a park bench rather than in one of the tourist cafés, and enjoying a fragrant cup of coffee or thick, sweet cocoa, then toward evening a Dominican woman named Clara appears in Columbus Park.
She is an attractive lady of post-Balzac age. Her fluffy light-brown hair is always carefully styled. Makeup, a charming smile. The cart from which she sells her drinks is wrapped in clean cloth and loaded with a great collection of thermos flasks. Cocoa, coffee — something for every taste…
