Overview:

Iglesia del Carmen is a traditional Dominican Catholic church located in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. It is one of the oldest churches in the country founded in the 1700’s. It is the guardian of the country’s first chapel which was destroyed during the battles of the Dominican War of independence in 1844. The current structure is a beautiful example of architecture and religious art from the 16th and 17th centuries. Inside it holds religious artworks, sculptures, a crucifix from the 1700s, and a painting. The church has been declared a national monument of historical importance. Masses are still held inside the church and it is a symbol of faith and culture for the Catholic population of the Dominican Republic. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Dominican-Republic
Prominent Features:

1. The main façade of the Iglesia del Carmen Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is Baroque in style. 2. It displays an openwork balustrade containing an inscription with the date of its construction, 1714. 3. The church towers are fluted and topped with domes. 4. Inside the church, two spectacular openwork galleys dominate the lateral altars, anchored in Corinthian columns and interspersed with console and acanthus motifs. 5. Above the main altar there are two lamps encased in ornamental crowns, interspersed in a profusion of sculptures representing cherubs and muses, among other motifs. 6. The interior of the church is covered with wood paneling and faux marble finishes. 7. From a cultural perspective, the Iglesia del Carmen enjoys a regional reputation, as here the natives used to bring offerings to the Virgin. This national monument of Dominican-Republic portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Iglesia del Carmen is a Roman Catholic church located in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The church is named after the Carmen de los Martires heretics, who were martyred in 1521 by the Dominican Inquisition. The church was first built in 1521 as a Dominican convent, but was destroyed in the 1690s by a severe earthquake. The current structure, built in 1628, is one of the oldest standing churches in Santo Domingo. The original building was erected in 1521 during a period of religious persecution, when the Dominican Order was attempting to stamp out heretical practices in the area. The original building was destroyed in the 1690s when a severe earthquake struck the region. The owner of the land, Fernando de los Cobos, decided to use the funds from the destruction to rebuild the church. The current structure is a result of the rebuilding efforts, and the original layout of the building remains mostly unchanged. The church is made of stone and has two towers, a bell tower in the front and an altar in the rear. The bell tower still houses the original bell, which is believed to be one of the oldest in the country. Inside the church, visitors can find a number of historial artifacts including paintings, frescoes, religious sculptures, and even relics from the Inquisition period. The Iglesia del Carmen has served as an important religious and community center throughout the centuries, and continues to be a major part of religious life in Santo Domingo. The church holds weekly Mass, and also hosts various cultural programming, including annual festivals such as the Dia de la Patrona, which celebrates the patron saint of the church. The Iglesia del Carmen also has a small museum, which chronicles the history of the institution and its surrounding area. You must visit one of these historical places in Dominican-Republic on your Dominican-Republic tour

Interesting facts:

1. Iglesia del Carmen is one of the oldest churches in the Dominican Republic, having been established in 1574 by Franciscan religious orders. 2. Iglesia del Carmen is the first church to be finished in the Dominican Republic, having been completed in 1591. 3. The church is located in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 4. The church is home to one of the oldest bell towers in the New World, dating back to 1664. 5. In 1768, the church hosted the christening of Dominican national hero Juan Pablo Duarte, who was baptized in Iglesia del Carmen. 6. The church also served as a refuge to the great freedom fighter and independence leader, José Núñez de Cáceres, during the Dominican War for Independence. 7. The church contains many historical artifacts and works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and altars from 17th and 18th century Spain. 8. The church also contains the tombs of former Dominican presidents, as well as the tomb of Father Iglesias, the founder of the church, which is located in the crypt beneath the church altar. Visit one of the famous monuments of Dominican-Republic with your friends and family.