Santiago de Los Cabaleros
Santiago is also the proud birthplace of several of the country's presidents.
With a population of over 500,000, Santiago is the second largest city in the country after Santo Domingo. It is generally quieter than the capital, though downtown traffic is heavy and Calle del Sol is one of the liveliest commercial streets in the country. Like its rum and tobacco production, the merengue, which supposedly originated here, has earned local residents a reputation for their vitality.
The best time to visit Santiago is during Carnival, which takes place in February. This tradition originated in the last century, and is marked by colourful parades and celebrations and by a competition between residents of the Los Pepines and La Joya neighbourhoods, who are easily identifiable by the shape of their respective carnival masks.
El Monumento de los Héroes de la Restauración de la República (free admission; on the road from Santo Domingo) was erected in the 1940s under the dictator Trujillo and served as a monument to himself; it was originally known as the Trujillo peace monument. The 67-metre-high marble structure, visible throughout the city, has since been dedicated to the heroes of the Restoration. It presently houses a museum displaying works by Spanish painter Vela Zannetti. There is an excellent view of Santiago and the Cibao valley from its top.
The Parque Duarte (at the corner of Calle del Sol and Calle 30 de Marzo) is an oasis of peace in the heart of the bustling city centre. It encloses an elegant Victorian-style pavilion and a monument to the heroes of the Restoration. Carriage drivers wait near the park, offering tours of the city ($8 US). Nearby Calle del Sol is one of the most vibrant commercial streets in the country.
A few streets from the park on Calle del Sol is the Mercado Modelo, Santiago's small traditional market.
The Catedral de Santiago Apostol (free admission; facing Parque Duarte), built between 1868 and 1895, has neoclassic and republican architectural features. It contains the tombs of the dictator Ulysses Heureaux and several Restoration heroes. The beautiful stained-glass windows are the work of the Dominican artist Rincón Mora.
The Palacio Consistorial (free admission; facing Parque Duarte) was the city hall for a good part of the 19th century. It now houses the Santiago Museum, which exhibits old and recent works by local artists.
The Museo del Tabaco (free admission; facing Parque Duarte) houses an exhibit on the history of the tobacco industry and its importance to Santiago's and the country's economies. The exhibit may not be spectacular, but it is nonetheless interesting. The museum's staff can tell you which cigar manufacturers in Santiago allow visits. One that offers impromptu tours is just a few streets from the museum.
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