Museo de las Casas Reales
Encyclopedia
The Museo de las Casas Reales, is one of the important cultural monuments built during the colonial era in la Hispanola. This monument is located in the Colonial district
, of Santo Domingo
in the Dominican Republic
.
According to historians, this structure dates back to the sixteenth century, and it was built to house the administrative offices of the Spanish colonies in the Americas
. The building was divided into two floors. On the first floor was the Royal Court, which was the first podium of the New World
, and on the second floor, was the Captaincy General.
on October 5 of 1511, which was built to house the main government offices of the era.
This building was named as the Royal Houses, as it was the Royal Court, which was the first court of the New World, was also used as the residence of the Governors and General Captains of the time.
The building served as home to many major figures such as; Nicolas de Ovando
, Bartholomew Columbus, and Louis Ferrand, among others. The halls of the Royal Court held important meetings or parties involving the leading figures in society of the colonial era as well as royal officers and judges of appeal. Also involved, were Bishops of the Conception such as Don Pedro Suarez de Deza and other Franciscan
, Dominican
and Mercedarian
representatives.
The Royal Court formally exercised jurisdiction over La Hispaniola and all neighboring islands and territories discovered by or belonging to the Spanish Crown. The Royal House at Santo Domingo was the capital of all other Spanish territories in the New World until 1535, after the Aztec Conquest opened new lands and the belief that local rule rather than centralized rule was better. After 1835 and the establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, as well as other Viceroyalties, the Royal Court in Santo Domingo adopted a more local role as the Capital of the West Indies
. Yet the Royal House, although stripped of its title as the Capitol of the New World, was involved in many major issues such as; the Rebellion of Enriquillo
, the Indian Rebellion of Cuzco
, the differences between Alvarado and Almagro, territorial problems in Central America
, Venezuela
, Florida
and Louisiana
, to mention a few.
Throughout its history the original architectural structure has undergone many changes. In 1807 the French general Louis Ferrand gave the facade a French-style. During the last year of government of President Carlos Felipe Morales
, some changes were made to use the building as the Governmental Palace. Then during the government of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
other modifications were made in order to house some government offices.
, the building was established as a museum, but it was not officially opened until May 31, 1976. Attending the opening ceremony was King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
This museum was established to collect and to highlight the history, life and customs of the inhabitants of the Spanish colony. It is currently one of the most visited sights by tourists in Santo Domingo
, because it is located in the Zona Colonial.
The museum has 9 rooms in 2 interconnected buildings; the first was the Palace of the Governors and the other was the Royal Court and Office of the Comptroller
General.
Galleries issues or statements of these rooms are:
In the galleries or exhibition themes are:
This building was built during the colonial era, based on masonry and fine stones, with an Elizabethan/Gothic-style
mixed with Plateresque Renaissance and a quasi-military appearance.
Ciudad Colonial (Santo Domingo)
Ciudad Colonial is the first settlement made by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish explorers in the New World. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Colloquially known as "Zona Colonial" , Ciudad Colonial is part of the original Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and the origin...
, of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
.
According to historians, this structure dates back to the sixteenth century, and it was built to house the administrative offices of the Spanish colonies in the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
. The building was divided into two floors. On the first floor was the Royal Court, which was the first podium of the New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
, and on the second floor, was the Captaincy General.
History
The Museum of the Royal Houses or Royal Palaces, as it was called during the colonial era, was to host two palaces, which date back to the sixteenth century. The royal palace was built by orders of the Spanish Crown, represented by King Fernando de AragonFerdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand the Catholic was King of Aragon , Sicily , Naples , Valencia, Sardinia, and Navarre, Count of Barcelona, jure uxoris King of Castile and then regent of that country also from 1508 to his death, in the name of...
on October 5 of 1511, which was built to house the main government offices of the era.
This building was named as the Royal Houses, as it was the Royal Court, which was the first court of the New World, was also used as the residence of the Governors and General Captains of the time.
The building served as home to many major figures such as; Nicolas de Ovando
Nicolás de Ovando
Fray Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres was a Spanish soldier from a noble family and a Knight of the Order of Alcántara. He was Governor of the Indies from 1502 until 1509...
, Bartholomew Columbus, and Louis Ferrand, among others. The halls of the Royal Court held important meetings or parties involving the leading figures in society of the colonial era as well as royal officers and judges of appeal. Also involved, were Bishops of the Conception such as Don Pedro Suarez de Deza and other Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
, Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
and Mercedarian
Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
The Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives also known as Our Lady of Ransom is a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1218 by St...
representatives.
The Royal Court formally exercised jurisdiction over La Hispaniola and all neighboring islands and territories discovered by or belonging to the Spanish Crown. The Royal House at Santo Domingo was the capital of all other Spanish territories in the New World until 1535, after the Aztec Conquest opened new lands and the belief that local rule rather than centralized rule was better. After 1835 and the establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, as well as other Viceroyalties, the Royal Court in Santo Domingo adopted a more local role as the Capital of the West Indies
Spanish West Indies
The Spanish West Indies was the contemporary name for the Spanish colonies in the Caribbean...
. Yet the Royal House, although stripped of its title as the Capitol of the New World, was involved in many major issues such as; the Rebellion of Enriquillo
Enriquillo
Enriquillo was a Taíno Cacique who rebelled against the Spaniards from 1519 to 1533. His father was killed while attending peace talks with the Spanish, along with eighty other regional chieftains under the direction of his aunt Anacaona in Jaragua. During the talks, Spanish soldiers set the...
, the Indian Rebellion of Cuzco
Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II
The Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II was an uprising of native and mestizo peasants against the Bourbon reforms in the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru...
, the differences between Alvarado and Almagro, territorial problems in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, to mention a few.
Throughout its history the original architectural structure has undergone many changes. In 1807 the French general Louis Ferrand gave the facade a French-style. During the last year of government of President Carlos Felipe Morales
Carlos Felipe Morales
Carlos Felipe Morales Languasco was a Dominican priest, politician and military figure. He was born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic on August 23, 1868. He served as Governor of Puerto Plata during the presidency of Alejandro Woss y Gil to whom he led a coup on November 23, 1903...
, some changes were made to use the building as the Governmental Palace. Then during the government of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina , nicknamed El Jefe , ruled the Dominican Republic from 1930 until his assassination in 1961. He officially served as president from 1930 to 1938 and again from 1942 to 1952, otherwise ruling as an unelected military strongman...
other modifications were made in order to house some government offices.
Museo de las Casas Reales today
The Museum of the Royal Houses is a historical monument because it showcases colonial architecture. On October 18, 1973, during the administration of President Dr. Joaquín BalaguerJoaquín Balaguer
Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1960 to 1962, from 1966 to 1978, and again from 1986 to 1996.-Early life and introduction to politics:...
, the building was established as a museum, but it was not officially opened until May 31, 1976. Attending the opening ceremony was King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
This museum was established to collect and to highlight the history, life and customs of the inhabitants of the Spanish colony. It is currently one of the most visited sights by tourists in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, because it is located in the Zona Colonial.
The museum has 9 rooms in 2 interconnected buildings; the first was the Palace of the Governors and the other was the Royal Court and Office of the Comptroller
Comptroller
A comptroller is a management level position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting of an organization.In British government, the Comptroller General or Comptroller and Auditor General is in most countries the external auditor of the budget execution of the...
General.
Location
This cultural museum is located on Calle Las Damas, corner of Calle Las Mercedes, in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.Halls of the Museum
The museum is divided into two floors and several rooms respectivamentes, which are:First floor
Here are the following salons, which are divided into galleries of topics.- Lobby
- Gallery
- Patio
- Backyard
- Health
- Cafeteria
- Temporary Exhibition Hall
- Ladder
- Statue of A. Suazo
Galleries issues or statements of these rooms are:
- Discovery, conquest and evangelization.
- Smuggling and piracy
- Economy.
- Stables.
- Santa Bárbara.
- Drugstore.
- Transport and garage.
Second floor
Here are the following salons:- Gallery of Hearing.
- Gallery.
- Halls Arms
- Ladder.
In the galleries or exhibition themes are:
- Numismática and Accounts.
- Legislation.
- Secretaries of hearings.
- Office of the Chief hearers.
- Hall Waiting.
- Chamber Main hearers.
- Ante Dispatch Captains.
- Descpacho Captain General.
- Family Life.
- Historical Ceramología.
- Military I.
- Military II.
- Great Hall of Governors.
Architectural features
This is of great interest because it has a strong character and there is high interest in its history, it also holds assets of cultural interest associated with its architecture that form an integral part of the values that the institution has to offer to its visitors.This building was built during the colonial era, based on masonry and fine stones, with an Elizabethan/Gothic-style
Tudor architecture
The Tudor architectural style is the final development of medieval architecture during the Tudor period and even beyond, for conservative college patrons...
mixed with Plateresque Renaissance and a quasi-military appearance.
See also
- Dominican RepublicDominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
- Santo DomingoSanto DomingoSanto Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
- History of the Dominican RepublicHistory of the Dominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles.Successive waves of Arawak migrants, moving northward from the Orinoco delta in South America, settled the islands of the Caribbean. Around AD 600, the Taíno Indians, an Arawak culture,...
- Zona Colonial