Calle Las Damas (Ladies Street), Santo Domingo (must see)

Ladies Street holds a significant place in the history of Santo Domingo. As the first street in the city and in the Americas, it carries with it a rich heritage that reflects the colonial past of the region.

Situated within the enchanting Colonial City, Ladies Street derives its name from the fact that it was frequented by the ladies of the colony during its early days. Today, the street is adorned with colonial tiles, creating a charming and picturesque atmosphere.

Ladies Street boasts several colonial houses, some of which still display their original colonial shields. These houses were built by distinguished families of the colonial period, including the Oviedo, Dávila, Heredia, Campuzano Polanco, Infante, and Coca families.

At the end of Ladies Street lies the Spanish Square, a vibrant and bustling square that marks the culmination of this historic street. The plaza offers a picturesque setting for locals and tourists to gather, relax, and soak in the ambiance of the Colonial Zone.

The origins of Ladies Street can be traced back to the government of Nicolás de Ovando, during which it became the first street created in the Colonial Zone. Originally known as Fortress Street due to the presence of the Ozama Fortress, the street later acquired the name Ladies Street. Despite a brief period when it was renamed Colón Street in honor of Christopher Columbus, the street ultimately reclaimed its original name.