This Monday marks the 526th anniversary of the founding of Santo Domingo by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Admiral Christopher Columbus, on August 5, 1496.
While some historians note different founding dates, such as 1497 and 1498, it is believed that the process began in 1496 and was completed in 1498.
Initially, the capital of the Dominican Republic was informally named Nueva Isabela. Shortly after, it was renamed Santo Domingo, a name it retains to this day.
Originally built on the eastern bank of the Ozama River, the city was destroyed by a hurricane and relocated to the western bank by Governor Nicolás de Ovando in 1502.
On December 7, 1508, Santo Domingo received its coat of arms by royal decree.
Much of the original Spanish settlement is preserved today as the Colonial Zone, featuring the original design of its houses and walls, as well as the Primate Cathedral of America and the first castle.
The Colonial Zone was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990 and was chosen as the American Capital of Culture in 2010.
