Description of the attraction
Casa de Bastidas, a low-rise palace with an inner courtyard, is located in the UNESCO-protected colonial part of Santo Domingo. In guidebooks, this building, erected at the beginning of the 16th century, is often called the Captain's Palace.
Casa de Bastidas has witnessed many historical events in the past. It was built in 1510 by order of the influential conquistador, tax collector Don Rodrigo de Bastidas. This man, who was sympathetic to the Indian population of the New World, founded the city of Santa Marta in Colombia, where his memory is still alive in the hearts of people. His son served as Bishop of Puerto Rico.
One of the most famous people of that time, de Bastidas built a luxurious residence of 3 thousand square meters on the most famous street of Santo Domingo, Calle Las Damas. m in traditional Spanish style. The shady patio of this mansion with openwork arcades reminded the owner of his distant European homeland. A typical Renaissance palace has a neoclassical portal.
De Bastidas was killed in Cuba in 1527. The mansion was inherited by his descendants - first his son, and then his grandson, who became the mayor of the Brazilian city of Fortaleza.
The captain's palace might not have survived to our time if the authorities of Santo Domingo had not taken care of its reconstruction. It housed a library for a long time, and also held various seminars and lectures. The Children's Museum is currently open in the Captain's Palace. Its premises are always open for temporary exhibitions, which are held here very often.
