Fortaleza Ozama, Military fortress at Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The fortress features an 18-meter central tower with coral stone walls reaching up to 3 meters in thickness along the Ozama River.
Governor Nicolás de Ovando initiated the construction of this military structure in 1502, establishing it as the first European fortress in the Americas.
The fortress includes dungeons, tunnels, and a tower that demonstrates the architectural and defensive methods used during Spanish colonization in the Caribbean.
The fortress opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM except Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays, with an entrance fee of 70 Dominican pesos.
The fortress served as a temporary prison for Christopher Columbus following his removal from the position of Viceroy and Governor of the Indies.
Location: Santo Domingo
Inception: 1502
Founders: Nicolás de Ovando
Part of: Spanish Colonization of Hispaniola
GPS coordinates: 18.47320,-69.88171
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:01
South America preserves a monumental heritage that reflects centuries of history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the contemporary era. This collection includes archaeological sites, colonial-era religious buildings, public squares, and modern artistic creations scattered across the continent. Each monument tells a part of South American history, whether it be ancient fortresses, Baroque churches, or recent sculptures. Among these sites are the Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala, a 17th-century construction that once connected two convents; the Public Market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a functioning 19th-century commercial building; and Desert Hand in Chile, a contemporary sculpture of 11 meters rising from the Atacama Desert. The Middle of the World monument near Quito, Ecuador, marks the equator line, while the Christ of the Pacific overlooks Lima from its hill. These monuments, whether of pre-Columbian, colonial, or modern origin, provide tangible insight into the cultural and architectural development of the South American continent.
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Terminal Don Diego
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