The Colonial City (Ciudad Colonial) in Santo Domingo is the center of the country’s religious and cultural traditions.
Below are key events and details regarding the choral concert and other activities for Easter Week in the Colonial City:
Palm Sunday (29 March 2026): Blessing of the Palms and the “Jesús en el Borrico” (Jesus on the Donkey) procession, usually departing from the Santuario Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes around 10am.
Holy Thursday (2 April 2026): Mass of the Lord’s Supper that includes the ritual washing of the feet at the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. On this same day, the traditional Visit of the Seven Churches in the Colonial City takes place with churches remaining open to receive tourists and religious persons from 7pm until 11:30pm. At each stop, it is customary to offer a short prayer and observe the specially decorated altars.
The participating churches are:
Catedral Primada de America. Calle Arzobispo Meriño. First cathedral in the New World and centerpiece of the route.
Iglesia de Regina Angelorum. Calle Padre Billini. Known for its Plateresque façade.
Iglesia del Convento de los Dominicos. Calle Padre Billini. Site of the first university in the Americas (1538).
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. Calle Las Mercedes. Dedicated to the Patroness of the Dominican people.
Iglesia de la Altagracia. Calle Hostos. Located next to the ruins of San Nicolas de Bari, dedicated to the Protectress of the Dominican people.
Iglesia El Carmen. Calle Sanchez.
Iglesia de Santa Barbara. Calle Isabel la Catolica.
Good Friday (3 April 2026):
Sermon of the Seven Words (Sermón de las Siete Palabras): Held at the Cathedral from 1 to 3pm.
Santo Entierro Procession: The most solemn procession of the week, typically starting in the late afternoon (around 4 or 5pm) from the Church of Las Mercedes or Regina Angelorum, winding through the main streets of the old city.
The Easter Concert (Concierto de Semana Santa) at the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Catedral Primada de América) traditionally. It is expected to happen again this 3 April 2026 starting at 8pm. The Cathedral Choir and Orchestra perform sacred music and classic hymns. Admission is free to the public. The event starts on time because it is televised on Televida.
Easter Sunday (5 April 2026): Festive Resurrection Masses are held in all temples, with the Cathedral being the primary venue for the official morning service.
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26 March 2026