Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Plaza de la Cultura; admission RD$50; 9am-5pm Tue-Sat)
The museum's permanent collection
includes paintings and a few sculptures by the DR's best-known modern artists, including
Luís Desangles, Adriana Billini, Celeste Woss y Gil, José Vela Zanetti, Dario Suro and
Martín Santos. The temporary exhibits tend to be fresher and more inventive - more in-
stallation and multimedia pieces. Note that the entrance is on the 2nd floor - don't miss
the artwork on the bottom level.
Museo del Hombre Dominicano
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
(Museum of the Dominican Man; 809-687-3622; Plaza de la Cultura; admission RD$100; 9am-5pm
Tue-Sat, to 4pm Sun)
The most extensive of the museum's highlights are the impressive col-
lection of Taíno artifacts, including stone axes and intriguing urns and carvings and an in-
teresting section on Carnival. Other exhibits focus on slavery and the colonial period,
African influences in the DR (including a small section on Vodou) and contemporary rural
Dominican life. Explanations are all in Spanish and the displays old-fashioned. English-
speaking guides available - the service is free, but small tips are customary.
Museo Nacional de Historia Natural
( 809-686-0106;
www.mnhn.gov.do
; Plaza de la Cultura; adult/child RD$50/20; 10am-5pm Tue-
Sun)
This museum includes exhibits on the battles between Haitians and Dominicans; on
General Ulises Heureaux, the country's most prominent dictator during the 19th century;
and on Trujillo, the country's most prominent dictator during the 20th century - displays
include his personal effects such as combs, a razor, a wallet etc.
MUSEUM
Palacio Nacional
( 809-695-8000; Calle Uruguay, btwn Av Pedro Henríquez Ureña & Calle Moisés Garcia)
The
Dominican seat of government which occupies most of a city block was designed by Itali-
an architect Guido D'Alessandro and inaugurated in 1947. Built of Samaná roseate marble
in a neoclassical design, the palace is outfitted in grand style with mahogany furniture,
paintings from prominent Dominican artists, magnificent mirrors inlaid with gold, and a
proportionate amount of imported crystal.
Primarily used as an executive and administrative office building, it has never been
used as the residence of a Dominican president, who is expected to live in a private home.
NOTABLE BUILDING
