Santo Domingo is the first city in the Western Hemisphere and this saves a significant part of their cultural heritage within the walls of the called Colonial Zone bordered by the Rio Ozama. It's impressive collection of 16th century buildings that can be seen there, including stone houses and churches reflects the last years of the middle Ages.

The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo possesses several buildings that are America’s firsts, including the first cathedral of the New World, its first monastery, first hospital, first university and first court of law. Recognizing Santo Domingo as the cradle of European civilization in America, UNESCO declared the Colonial Zone a World Heritage Site in 1990. Some of its buildings are now converted to bars, restaurants and small hotels. In Spain the Plaza bordered by the Alcazar de Colon, the Museum of the Royal Houses and the sundial of the 17th century, the cafes of the old streets come alive at dusk and welcome visitors looking to enjoy a pleasant moment.

The President of the Republic Leonel Fernández declared as 10 December each year to celebrate a National Heritage Day.

 
Recently, it had been recognized as a living cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic to Mrs. Maria Ugarte and Fray Vicente Rubio. María Ugarte, considered a pioneer in art criticism from the Dominican Republic, with a long history in print media as cultural editor and Fray Vicente Rubio as teacher and communicator.