Santiago De Los Caballeros

TheMonumento a los Héroes de la Restauraciónis a monument in the city ofSantiago de los Caballerosin theDominican Republic. It was originally built during the dictatorship ofRafael Leónidas Trujilloin 1944 as "Trujillo's Monument to Peace." He ordered its construction in his own honor. Yet, symbolically the monument was built for thecentennialof theDominican War of Independence, which was fought in 1844 to gain sovereignty fromHaiti.

After Trujillo's assassination in 1961, the government changed the name of the monument to, "Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración" (Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration). So it is now dedicated to the heroes of theDominican Restoration War, fought from 1863 to 1865 against Dominican Colonist andSpanishforces. The heroes include, but are not limited to;Francisco del Rosario SánchezandGregorio Luperón.

The monument is located on a hill in the middle of Santiago, with views of the city and surrounding mountains. It also has a surrounding park.

The single biggest celebration of culture in the Dominican Republic takes place during the month of February. Carnival celebrations unite Dominicans from all walks of life and of all ages as everyone takes to the streets as participant or spectator. Parades kick off in the country’s main regions and cities pre-Lent on the first Sunday of February. They continue every Sunday of the month, culminating with Independence Day festivities on February 27.

A tradition that dates back to the Spaniards, who brought it to the island in the 15th century,Carnaval Dominicanois the oldest carnival in the Caribbean region. It metamorphosed after contact with indigenous and African influences, as residents used it to make fun of the colonial masters in their elaborate costumes. Over the years, it turned into a Dominican version comprised of characters that tell the history, and folklore of the country’s various provinces, and reflect Dominicans’ mixed heritage. Diversity is indeed the cornerstone of Carnival in the DR. From the more Taíno influenced north coast costumes to the African influenced southwest, it’s a vibrantly cheerful part of the Dominican Republic’s history, culture, and people.

The cities with the oldest Carnival traditions in the country are Santo Domingo, La Vega, Santiago, Montecristi, and Cabral. Although former dictator Rafael Trujillo prioritized the “social carnivals” for the elite and created separation of the classes with private club performances, the Dominican people rose above and turned it into a celebration for all.

Santiago de los Caballeros is a city in the north of the Dominican Republic. On a hilltop, the 1944 Monumento de Santiago, topped by a white column, is dedicated to the heroes of the Dominican Restoration War. Dominican art is displayed at the Centro León cultural center. The 17th-century Fortaleza San Luis is now a museum, with tanks and military equipment. Park Duarte has paths, tropical trees and a bandstand.