collection of extraordinary historic and artistic worth, the Victorian Houses of Puerto Plata shine as a symbol of the city and its singular hospitality. All together, the Victorian buildings comprise approximately 150 houses lodging family residences, cultural and social centers, stores and offices. Some of them are true architectural jewels, while others are important for adding picturesque touches to the 19th and 20th century urban cluster. The houses are part of the historic downtown area of Puerto Plata, some 60 blocks scattered from the bay to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the north to where Mount Isabel de Torres begins, representing an architectural legacy from a time of great prosperity.