Puerta del Conde

Santo Domingo


This gate is named for the Count of Peñalba, Bernardo de Meneses y Bracamonte, who led the successful defense of Santo Domingo against 13,000 invading British troops in 1655. It’s the supreme symbol of Dominican patriotism because beside it, in February 1844, brave Dominicans executed a bloodless coup against occupying Haitian forces; their actions created an independent Dominican Republic.

It also was atop this gate that the very first Dominican flag was raised. Just west of the gate inside Parque Independencia look for the Altar de la Patria, a mausoleum that holds the remains of three national heroes: Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and Ramón Matías Mella. The park itself has a few benches but little shade.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santo Domingo attractions

1. Altar de la Patria

0.06 MILES

The main attraction of Parque Independencia, this marble mausoleum holds the remains of three national heroes: Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario…

2. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen

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Since 1596 this church has served as a hospital, a jail and an inn, but is now famous for its carved-mahogany figure of Jesus, which is worshipped every…

3. Iglesia de San Lázaro

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4. Puerta de la Misericordia

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This gate was erected during the 16th century and for many decades served as the main western entrance to the city. It obtained its name after a major…

7. Iglesia de la Regina Angelorum

0.29 MILES

Paid for by a woman who donated her entire fortune to construct this monument for the cloistered Dominican Sisters, this church was built toward the end…

8. Iglesia de San Miguel

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In 1784 Spain ordered that the Iglesia de San Miguel be turned into a hospital for slaves. The decree, however, was never followed. Note the appealing…

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