Fortaleza Ozama
Early sixteenth-century fortress built by the Spaniards
The Ozama Fortress (Spanish: Fortaleza Ozama), also formerly known as the city wall's Homage tower. It is one of the surviving sections of the Walls of Santo Domingo, which is recognized by UNESCO as being the oldest military construction of European origin in the Americas.[1] It was built between 1502-1508[2] by the Spanish at the entrance to Santo Domingo's Ciudad Colonial, Dominican Republic, and overlooking the Ozama River. Named after this river, the castle, also referred to as "La Fortaleza" or "The Fortress". It was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, together with the other historical monuments of the Ciudad Colonial.
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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Location | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
Part of | Colonial City of Santo Domingo |
Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) |
Reference | 526 |
Inscription | 1990 (14th Session) |
Coordinates | 18°28′24″N 69°52′54″W / 18.47320°N 69.88171°W / 18.47320; -69.88171 |
The Ozama Fortress is part of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. According to historians and architects, the construction of this monument lasted from 1502 to 1508, which was started by Governor Nicolás Ovando. During the 16th century, the 18-meter high tower was the highest European-built construction of the Americas.[3]
The construction of this fortress is designed in the form of a stone castle and still preserves its original architecture. Inside the fortress there are tunnels and dungeons where the prisoners were locked up, Christopher Columbus himself, one of the most important figures in the history of the Americas, was imprisoned in the Ozama fortress.
- ^ "Colonial City of Santo Domingo. Outstanding Universal Value". UNESCO World Heritage Centre website.
- ^ "The Fortress of Santo Domingo also known as Fortaleza Ozama". colonialzone-dr.com.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Where can I visit?
Ozama River
River in Dominican Republic
Universidad APEC
Eduardo Brito National Theater
Theatre in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo Este
Municipality in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santo Domingo
Latin metropolitan archdiocese in the Dominican Republic
Puente Juan Bosch
Port of Santo Domingo
Port in the city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Siege of Santo Domingo (1805)
1805 battle of the Franco-Haitian War
Siege of Santo Domingo (1655)
Battle of the Anglo-Spanish War
Fortaleza Ozama
UNESCO World Heritage Site in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic