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Often just called Santiago, but officially named Santiago de los Caballeros, this is the second largest city of the Dominican Republic and capital of the Santiago Province. Santiago is a popular city with a number of tourist attractions.
Monumento de Santiago
The Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration is one of the major landmarks of Santiago. It was originally named ‘Trujillo’s Monument to Peace’ and was built in 1944 under the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillas, but when he was assassinated in 1962, the government renamed the monument in honour of the heroes of the Dominican Republic War, in which the Republic gained their independence from Spain.
Standing on a hilltop, right in the heart of Santiago, the monument offers fabulous views over the city and its surrounding mountains. When visiting, you can now also enjoy three recently built plazas and the surrounding park, plus a visit to the Monument’s museum.
Other Landmarks in Santiago
Among the other landmarks in the city is the Catedral de Santiago which dates from 1895 and was designed by an architect native to Santiago. The Hermanos Patino Bridge is also a major landmark. This is the largest and oldest bridge to connect the two sides of Santiago, and like the Monument of Santiago it was started by Trujillo. Ironically, the bridge was named in honour of the five brothers who died trying to overthrow Trujillo’s regime.
Santiago’s Museums
A great way to get familiar with Santiago is by visiting its museums. There are several of them; all focused on some aspect of the history and culture of Santiago. Museo Folklorico Yoryi Morel is focused on the Santiago Carnival and its culture, and includes some of the lavish costumes worn. The Centro Leon museum is a more general culture oriented museum with a focus on Dominican and Caribbean cultures, natural history and more, while the Museo del Tabaco shows how the development of the tobacco industry affected Santiago.
At the San Luis Fort there is also a museum. The Fortaleza San Luis is an historic fort that saw several battles during the War of Restoration and was more recently a prison.
Flights to Santiago
The Cibao International Airport (airport code: STI) is one of 3 international airports in the Dominican Republic for flights to Santiago. For a route from the UK that has one connection in New York, you can fly with Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines or United Airlines. Virgin Atlantic also has a flight to Santiago, but with 2 stops in Boston and then New York City. Another 2-stop route is with Air Canada that includes Toronto and New York. Most of the New York connections would require a change in airports, making these quite inconvenient options.Santiago Tourist Attractions
Meaning ‘Saint James of the Knights, or Gentlemen’, Santiago de los Caballeros is a historic city that was founded in 1495 and moved to its present location in 1506. The city has really grown in recent years, in size and population, as well as in popularity with tourists, even though it’s in an inland location. The historic Spanish Caribbean architecture is one of the appeals, but there are also museums, monuments, shops and nightlife to enjoy in Santiago too.Monumento de Santiago
The Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration is one of the major landmarks of Santiago. It was originally named ‘Trujillo’s Monument to Peace’ and was built in 1944 under the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillas, but when he was assassinated in 1962, the government renamed the monument in honour of the heroes of the Dominican Republic War, in which the Republic gained their independence from Spain.
Standing on a hilltop, right in the heart of Santiago, the monument offers fabulous views over the city and its surrounding mountains. When visiting, you can now also enjoy three recently built plazas and the surrounding park, plus a visit to the Monument’s museum.
Other Landmarks in Santiago
Among the other landmarks in the city is the Catedral de Santiago which dates from 1895 and was designed by an architect native to Santiago. The Hermanos Patino Bridge is also a major landmark. This is the largest and oldest bridge to connect the two sides of Santiago, and like the Monument of Santiago it was started by Trujillo. Ironically, the bridge was named in honour of the five brothers who died trying to overthrow Trujillo’s regime.
Santiago’s Museums
A great way to get familiar with Santiago is by visiting its museums. There are several of them; all focused on some aspect of the history and culture of Santiago. Museo Folklorico Yoryi Morel is focused on the Santiago Carnival and its culture, and includes some of the lavish costumes worn. The Centro Leon museum is a more general culture oriented museum with a focus on Dominican and Caribbean cultures, natural history and more, while the Museo del Tabaco shows how the development of the tobacco industry affected Santiago.
At the San Luis Fort there is also a museum. The Fortaleza San Luis is an historic fort that saw several battles during the War of Restoration and was more recently a prison.