The Ministry of Tourism announced the restoration of 15 historic facades in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City to preserve the area’s architectural heritage and boost its appeal to visitors.
“These interventions highlight our historical legacy and reaffirm the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and restoring spaces of high architectural value in the Colonial City,” Collado said. The renovations cost RD$29 million.
In a Ministry of Tourism press release emphasizes that these restored sites are key attractions for both domestic and international tourists, reinforcing Colonial City’s status as a Unesco World Heritage site.
The restoration focused on the exterior facades of significant religious and civil monuments, including the Museo de las Casas Reales, the Panteón de la Patria, and several churches such as Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes, San Lázaro, and Regina Angelorum. Other sites included La Parroquia de San Miguel, La Parroquia de la Tercera Orden, and the Primera Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the work involved a range of specialized processes, including:
• Specialized cleaning to remove dirt, moss, and vegetation.
• Biocidal and fungicidal treatments to prevent future organic growth.
• Structural consolidation using natural lime.
• Application of breathable paints and water-repellent protective coatings.
• Restoration and replacement of damaged architectural elements.
Each intervention followed strict preservation principles, using compatible materials and techniques to maintain the integrity of the original structures. The project was carried out by the Executive Committee for Infrastructure in Tourist Zones (CEIZTUR) in collaboration with experts from the National Monumental Heritage Agency.
The Colonial City is under a general overhaul, with additional investments in its enhancement funded by the Interamerican Development Bank US$90 million urban rehabilitation and heritage project.
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Ministry of Tourism
DR1 News
2 September 2025