Abinader and Collado inaugurate projects in the Colonial City

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado inaugurated the renovated Las Damas Street and the Santo Domingo Fortress Museum today as part of the ongoing efforts within the Comprehensive Tourism and Urban Development Program of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo (PIDTUCCSD) or Colonial City Revitalization Program. Of the twenty projects comprising the Colonial City Program, the president and the Minister of Tourism unveiled these two revitalized works during their visit to the historic center.

Under the Prioritized Streets Rehabilitation Project, Las Damas Street was officially opened, extending from Plaza Pellerano Castro to Plaza Reloj de Sol, spanning a length of 456 meters. The street underwent a complete renovation, including the installation of new pavement with concrete slabs, transforming it into a unified platform area between sidewalks and streets to ensure safe mobility for all users. Additionally, the drinking water network and connections to residences and businesses were replaced, and the sanitary drainage was separated from storm drainage. Podotactile signs were incorporated into the pavement to guide disabled individuals safely, and the use of paving stones helped reduce the street’s temperature by 33 percent.

As part of the Revitalization and Architectural Adaptation of Museums Project, President Abinader and Minister Collado inaugurated the Santo Domingo Fortress Museum, also known as Fortaleza Ozama, which received new and modern museographic content. The intervention aimed to enhance the value of this historic monument through three main areas of work. Firstly, there was an architectural enhancement of its infrastructure, incorporating new energy generation and climate adaptation systems. Secondly, a museum project focusing on the Tower of Tribute was implemented to highlight its role in the Dominican Republic’s history. Lastly, immersive experiences were introduced, featuring audiovisual and technological resources across three scenarios showcasing the country’s cultural, ethnic, and landscape richness, celebrating Dominican identity.

The enhancements at the Santo Domingo Fortress Museum will expand its museum offerings for visitors, greatly impacting the Colonial City.

The Revitalization and Architectural Adaptation of the Museums Project aims to restore the four most emblematic museums of the Colonial City: the Cathedral Museum, the Don Diego Colón Viceregal Palace or the Alcázar de Colón Museum, and the Museum of the Royal Houses, in addition to the Santo Domingo Fortress.

During the event, President Abinader reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the preservation of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo and the promotion of its cultural heritage as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Minister Collado emphasized that the interventions in the Colonial City have always been a priority in his agenda, aiming to not only restore the historic center but also strengthen historical and cultural tourism offerings, making them more competitive.

President Abinader and Minister Collado were accompanied by Minister of Culture Milagros Germán, Mayor of the National District Carolina Mejía, IDB Group’s Representative Katharina Falkner-Olmedo, EU Ambassador Katja Afheldt, and Program Coordinating Unit’s General Coordinator Amín Abel Santos.

The Colonial City Revitalization Program is financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and co-financed by the European Union. It aims to revitalize the Colonial City in urban, economic, and cultural tourism aspects, executed by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of the National District (ADN) and the Ministry of Culture (MINC). The program consists of approximately twenty ongoing projects aimed at revitalizing public spaces and historical monuments, improving living conditions for residents, fostering local economic development, and strengthening the management of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.