Cannons Mueo Casas Reales SD RD 02 2017 1982

The Museo de las Casas Reales (English: ''Museum of the Royal Houses'') is one of the important cultural monuments built during the colonial era in Hispaniola, now the

Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic ( ; es, República Dominicana, ) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with ...

. It is located in the Colonial district of

Santo Domingo , total_type = Total , population_density_km2 = auto , timezone = AST (UTC −4) , area_code_type = Area codes , area_code = 809, 829, 849 , postal_code_type = Postal codes , postal_code = 10100–10699 ( Distrito Nacional) , webs ...

. It was the Palace of the Viceroy of Santo Domingo and it is the first (oldest) headquarters of Spanish power in the New World. The building dates back to the sixteenth century, and was built to house the administrative offices of the Spanish colonies in the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...

, at the time any trespassers would be sentenced to death. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Colonial City of Santo Domingo.

History

The palace was built by orders of the Spanish Crown, represented by King Ferdinand II of Aragon, on October 5 of 1511 to house the main government offices of the colony in two interconnected buildings (hence the plural Casas Reales). In the first (South) section was the

Royal Audiencia Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a ci ...

, the first court of the

New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. ...

, as well as the office of the Comptroller General. The second (North) section was used by the successive Viceroys, Governors and Captains-General. The original architectural structure has undergone a number of changes through the country's history. In 1807, during the period of French sovereignty over the Eastern part of Hispaniola, French general Louis Ferrand gave the facade a classical architectural style. During the last year of government of President Carlos Felipe Morales, some changes were made to use the building as the Governmental Palace. The Presidency later moved to a mansion on the site of today's Palacio Nacional. During the government of

Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina ( , ; 24 October 189130 May 1961), nicknamed ''El Jefe'' (, "The Chief" or "The Boss"), was a Dominican dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic from February 1930 until his assassination in May 1961. He ser ...

other modifications were made in order to house government offices. Trujillo's office, and an extensive collection of arms and armor that he purchased, remain on display. The building was later restored to its original 16th-century appearance and was established on October 18, 1973, during the administration of President

Joaquín Balaguer Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo (1 September 1906 – 14 July 2002) was a Dominican politician, scholar, writer, and lawyer. He was President of the Dominican Republic serving three non-consecutive terms for that office from 1960 to 196 ...

, as a museum to highlight the history, life and customs of the inhabitants of the Spanish colony. However, it was not officially opened until May 31, 1976. Attending the opening ceremony was King Juan Carlos I of Spain. A self-guided tour giving a sequential history of the island includes a portable audio speaker that is available in various languages. It is currently one of the most visited sites in

Rooms

Santo Domingo - Museo de las Casas Reales 0253

* Comptroller-General * Legislation * Secretaries of the Audiencia * Office of the Chief Judge * Waiting Hall * Chamber of the Chief Judge * Vestibule of the Captain * Office of the Captain General * Family Life * Historical Ceramics * Military I * Military II * Great Hall of the Governors

Gallery

Courtyard

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Weapons and armor

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References

External links

Ministerio De EducaciónViajarHistoria Dominicana
{{Authority control Museums in the Dominican Republic Buildings and structures in Santo Domingo Tourist attractions in Santo Domingo Museums established in 1973 Ciudad Colonial (Santo Domingo) 1973 establishments in the Dominican Republic