Museum of the royal houses

The Museum of Royal Houses was used as the Spanish Governor’s Royal Court in the 16th century—home to the governor’s palace, the treasury, and the courts of law. Today, the museum offers an informative overview on the history of the Dominican Republic from the colonial period in 1492 to the days of slavery, and the country’s first independence from Spain in 1821. You will find displays on the multiple voyages of Columbus, with replicas of his ships, a collection of period treasures, and weapons from the days of dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, among other items. The building itself is a stunning display of colonial architecture, punctuated by vast Spanish courtyards.