Santo Domingo residents and visitors from other parts of the country have been taking the metro tour. Yes, a ride on the first 14.5km line of the Santo Domingo Metro. In addition to offering the sight of the capital city from up high and the tunnel rides, the metro tour is a cultural experience, featuring valuable works of art and even a visit to a small museum that touches everyone’s conscience. Note that the large sculptures at several of the stations make for great photo opportunities. Parking at the main stations makes it easy for vehicle owners.
Factor in two to three hours to give yourself time to admire the works of art on the way. They are primarily located at five of the 16 stations. The collection was coordinated by artist Fernando Varela, but the metro management later added other works of art.
The largest amount of time will be spent at the southernmost station, Centro de los Heroes. A small museum dedicated to the heroes of the Constanza, Maimon and Estero Hondo resistance group that opposed dictator Truijillo is on display. This museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 6pm and is an introduction to what will be the Memorial Museum of the Resistance, due to open in the Colonial Zone later this year. At the Centro de los Heroes station, there are also works inspired by the 14 June resistance movement by painter Amable Sterling and sculptures by Ciprian Mordan that criticize war and violence.
At the National Theater Casandra Damiron station, Fernando Varela has his own works on display, as well as a steel sculpture by Jorge Pineda. The idea behind the sculpture was to create something entertaining for all, with movement, and with the woman’s touch in the flowers as the station carried the name of famous folklorist Casandra Damiron.
At the John F Kennedy or the station that passes under the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center there are works by Bismarck Victoria with a painting with three large black baseball bats and the Olympic rings. There is an abstract ceramics mural by Said Musa, also on the theme of sports.
Cristian Martinez contributed murals at the Hermanas Mirabal station, the most northernmost.