Millions of dollars are being invested in the Colonial City, the pride and joy of Santo Domingo, to increase its focus on cultural tourism. Four of the leading museums in the historic center are scheduled to be renewed for an enhanced cultural experience. The Colonial City is the oldest city in the Americas and the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Ministry of Tourism coordinator for the Touristic and Urban Development of the Colonial City, Amín Abel Santos announced during the Dominican Travel Exchange (DATE) in Punta Cana that several structures that need strengthening will be reinforced and there will be improvements in the museography to introduce immersive experiences.
The works are part of the developments under the Ministry of Tourism that coordinates the InterAmerican Development Bank urban renewal project in the Colonial City, a US$90 million loan. This is the follow-up of an earlier US$30 million loan for a first phase in the Colonial City.
As part of the IADB project, telephone and power lines will be placed underground in 5 km of roads. New technology will enable tourists to download a GPS-directed APP with descriptions of over 25 attractions in the area.
The museum program is scheduled to start at the Ozama Fort Museum. Other museums to receive funds are the Cathedral Museum, the Columbus Palace (Alcazar), and the Casas Reales Museum, the first court in the New World. Calle El Conde, the iconic pedestrian street of the Colonial City, is also in the books for renewal works. Likewise, there are funds to improve the St. Francis Monastery.
The US$90 million loan (DR-L1084) calls for revitalizing the urban, economic and cultural tourism aspects of the Colonial City by restoring public spaces and historical monuments, improving the habitability for residents, developing local economies and strengthening the management of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The EU is donating EUR3 million to complement the works in the historic city center.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
DR1 News
17 May 2022