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History of Puerto
Plata
Christopher Columbus
on his first arrival to the New World instantly fell in love with
this enchanting gift of nature and befittingly gave her the name
Puerto Plata (Silver Port).
The Providence of
Puerto Plata embodies an important history of great value to the
world. It was inside her boundaries that was founded the city of
La Isabella, which was the first seat of European government in
the Americas, built in 1493 by Christopher Columbus. It was there
that the first church was established, it was also the
headquarters of the first tribunal of justice and the first city
council of the New World.
Three years later, in
1496, the city of Puerto Plata was founded with the progress of
Don Bartolmι, the brother of Christopher Columbus. Their
development was impeded by order of Governor Ovando, after
visiting in 1502. Six years later the Crown grated him the title
of Villa, it assigned him a Shield of Arms, and it experienced a
growing commercial success thanks to the geographical situation of
the port.
The new population
acquired a vertiginous mercantile development, but the discoveries
of other richer districts and the expeditions to mainland gave way
to the beginning of the decadence in 1520. However, it didn't
reach total ruin thanks to the activity of Dutch and French
smugglers.
Of the colonial times
the only construction that is conserved is the Fort of San Felipe,
whose construction was carried out between the years 1541-1577, in
the time when there was constant threat of intrusion. The port
provided a natural refuge for its users. The Fort of San Felipe is
characterized by graves of sharp coral around its entrance, a
variety of artefacts and paintings, coins and cannon bullets,
which are exhibited in its still standing salons.
The George Washington
of the Nation, Juan Pablo Duarte, was once a prisoner in one of
these cells. |
