For more than 100 years , the Victorian houses of Puerto Plata have enticingly shared their colorfulness, elegance and charm with the thousands of visitors who come to stroll by the cluster of homes built th at the turn of the 20 century. Just as they did all those years ago, the houses still lodge family residences, as well as cultural and social centers, stores and private and governmental offices. The 150 homes were built on the city’s rubble after the great fire of 1863, a consequence of the war against Spain to restore independence.