Type Cultural Phone +1 313-400-4026 | Criteria ii, iv, vi UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription 1990 | |
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Reference whc.unesco.org/en/list/526 526 UNESCO region Latin America and the Caribbean Address Calle Las Damas, Santo Domingo 10210, Dominican Republic Hours Open today · 8AM–5PMWednesday8AM–5PMThursday8AM–5PMFriday8AM–5PMSaturday8AM–5PMSunday8AM–5PMMonday8AM–5PMTuesday8AM–5PM Similar Alcázar de Colón, Basilica Cathedral of Santa, Museo de las Casas Reales, Columbus Lighthouse, Parque Colon | ||
The Fortaleza Ozama (in Spanish; Ozama Fortress in English) is a sixteenth-century castle built by the Spanish at the entrance to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and overlooking the Ozama River. Named after this river, the castle, also referred to as "La Fortaleza" or "The Fortress", is the oldest formal military construction of European origin in the Americas.
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Destino tur stico la fortaleza ozama un lugar lleno de historia santo domingo
Architecture
An impressive architectural structure of medieval style and design, the Tower of Homage (Spanish: Torre del Homenaje) stands in the center of the grounds. The castle was designed to guard the entrance to the port of Santo Domingo and defend the city from seaborne enemies. Construction began in 1502 and it was completed in 1505. The entrance gate on Calle Damas was originally built in 1608, known as the Prevention Gate.
The castle was well-built enough to serve as a prison until the 1960s. When the prison was closed, the "Fortaleza" was opened to the public. It is located at the end of Las Damas Street.