Altos de Chavón, Mediterranean village replica in La Romana, Dominican Republic
Altos de Chavón is a village built on a plateau above the Chavón River, featuring limestone walls, cobblestone streets, and handcrafted building details throughout. The layout includes galleries, an archaeology museum, craft workshops, restaurants, and shops alongside residential areas.
Construction started in 1976 under the vision of an Italian architect and an American industrialist, using stone from local quarries to complete the village by 1982. From its inception, the site was planned as a cultural center with educational institutions and artistic facilities.
The design school here attracts students from around the world who study fine arts, fashion, and design in a Mediterranean-inspired setting. The village functions as a working space where you can watch craftspeople and artists in their studios.
The village is easy to explore on foot, as all streets and squares connect via the stone pathways and most buildings are open to visitors. Plan time to visit the galleries, museum, and craft workshops at a relaxed pace.
The amphitheater with 5,000 seats is designed so that performers' voices carry clearly to the back rows without any electronic help. Ancient Roman building techniques were adapted here to work in modern times.
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