Tourism Minister of the Dominican Republic, David Collado, announced the bidding for restoration and renovation of the emblematic Calle El Conde street that will begin in October, as part of the second phase of the Inter - American Development Bank (IDB) program aimed at revitalizing the historic and commercial character of Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, the “Ciudad Colonial”, the iconic, central neighbourhood of the the Dominican capital, the oldest continuously inhabited European - established settlement in the Americas, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The restyling of this emblematic urban artery, the first commercial street in the New World which remains the most popular shopping area of the Dominican Republic also includes a new security plan for the area, developed in coordination with the Presidency and the 911 System.
The plan includes additional surveillance cameras strengthening security with support from the Dominican Navy, and reinforcing Digesett operations to improve traffic flow and parking management.
The vibrant Calle El Conde is an iconic symbol of Santo Domingo, a street which cutting the Colonial City like its main organ, stretching over 10 blocks, is a cobblestone passage lined with fine restaurants, trendy cafes, cozy bars, souvenirs shops, grocery stores, but also showcasing its artistic spirit and essence with the presence of art vendors displaying colourful paintings and eclectic works, and talented street performers.
This lively pedestrian road is a blend of history, tradition and charm, along the way are historic sights, at Calle El Conde’s entrance is Parque Independencia, a park which houses the Altar de la Patria and home of the mausoleum for the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, onto the Parque Colón, representing the central square of the Ciudad Colonial historic district where in its centre stands a statue of Christopher Columbus close to the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the oldest existing cathedral in the Americas completed in 1550 to its edge at Calle Las Damas, the oldest paved street in the Americas, created in 1502 during the Spanish colonial era.
From centuries old architecture to its its unique atmosphere, Calle El Conde is much more than just a street, it’s an authentic experience.
Additionally the Ministry said that the Alcázar de Colón, the first fortified palace built in the Americas, located in the colonial city, completed in 1512, home of Diego Colón, Christopher Columbus’s son and served as the first vice - regal residence will be reopened in December after a RD$80 million investment from the Ministry of Tourism.
The Minister made these statements during the thanksgiving mass marking the official dedication of the fully renovated San Miguel Arcángel Parish in the Colonial City.
The restoration carried out jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and the SID Group, included new air conditioning, two generators, with a complete overhaul of the temple and the church was formally handed over to the Catholic Church during the ceremony.
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