History is one of the most fertile soils in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is considered the gateway to the Americas. Quisqueya, a term used to describe the country’s indigenous roots whose soil is heavily influenced by the following: African, European, and Indigenous origins (Cambeira, 1996). The island has been heavily impacted by international interest, exploitation, and foreign military invasion. Historically, the Dominican Republic has been a target of empire building foreign interests due to its rich soil. Consequently, the Dominican Republic has a long history of fighting for its freedom, cultural identity, and collective advancement. Visiting the Dominican Republic and exploring the history yourself is one of the best ways to discover the country’s history. Also, immersing yourself in the culture will give you a better sense of the culture’s heart-los dominicanos. A trip to the Dominican Republic this year allowed me to explore places rich in history and rooted in ancestral awareness.
The following places in the Dominican Republic offer you the opportunity to explore history and discover the past.
Museo de Porcelana
The Museum of Porcelain in Santo Domingo, DR has an extensive collection of restored porcelain pieces from around the world. The founder of the museum, Doña Violate Martinez, decided to return to her native land after many years living in New York City.
Because of her experience restoring historical porcelain pieces, she became passionate about collecting pieces in her home, which became the Museum of Porcelain. In July of 1989, the museum opened its doors. The building’s architectural style is based on Alhambra designs. A visit to the place is an inspiring and educational way to learn about Martinez’s ancestry, especially her departure from her homeland due to Trujillo’s regime. Furthermore, the museum’s founder meticulously and orderly described all the collected and donated pieces’ historical and ancestral backgrounds. This place facilitates the earthing of ancestral seeds of passion, dedication, and planting of new seeds in your motherland.
For more information regarding the time, location, and fee visit this link for further details MUSEO DE PORCELANA
CASA MELLA RUSSO
The place is awe-inspiring for LATAMS who are passionate about art and ancestral history. The museum houses a collection of works by Dominican and international artists. Furthermore, during the restoration phase of this architecturally crafted building, ancestral archaeological pieces were found and became part of the permanent museum collection. Inside this venue, I found art pieces with incredibly deep cultural roots. A guided tour provided me with the opportunity to gain knowledge. It is an ideal place for discovering the seeds of ancestral excavations and restorations.
For more information regarding time, fee, and location click on the following link CASA MELLA RUSSO
MUSEO NACIONAL DE HISTORIA Y GEOGRAFÍA
From the tyrannical era of Trujillo to the details of our ancestors’ journeys displaying the traces of their fight for freedom and territorial battles, what better place to learn more about the history of the Dominican Republic than the National Museum of History and Geography. The museum was inaugurated on March 1, 1982. An extensive collection of information pertaining to the Arawak (Taino) people will lead to digging up the past and uncovering Dominica’s ancestral history.
For more information regarding time, fee, and location click on the following link MUSEO DE HISTORIA Y GEOGRAFIA
Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito
There is no better place to learn about the seeds of talent and historical information about the GUILD in Latin America than the national theater in Santo Domingo. The building was designed by Teofilo Carbonell Arias (Wikipedia, 2032). A number of performances are held at the theater, including opera, ballet, and the well-known Soberano Awards Gala.
For more information regarding time, fee, and location click on the following link TEATRO NACIONAL EDUARDO BRITO
