The project also included the refurbishment of the Loading Yard where the buses will be recharged and specialized technical assistance for the operation
SANTO DOMINGO. With an investment exceeding RD$188 million, President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado inaugurated the renovation of the Alcázar de Colón Museum and the new Electromobility Route in the Colonial City this Monday, as part of the revitalization efforts for the historic center of Santo Domingo.
The renovation of the Alcázar de Colón was financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), while the Electromobility Route had a non-refundable donation from the European Union of more than RD$71 million and financing of more than RD$98 million from the IDB.
The initiatives are part of the Comprehensive Tourism and Urban Development Program of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo (PIDTUCCSD), which seeks to preserve the historical heritage and improve the urban and tourist conditions of the area.
During the event, Abinader expressed his expectation that the renovation work being carried out in the Colonial City will be completed in December, for the enjoyment of Dominicans.
New electric bus route
The Electromobility Route will have five electric buses, will cover 12.4 kilometers and will have 31 stops, of which 17 will be inside the Colonial City and 14 outside the heritage environment.
The vehicles have a capacity for 22 passengers and have spaces for wheelchairs and preferential seating for people with disabilities, reduced mobility and senior citizens.
The operation will be handled by the Metropolitan Bus Services Operator (OMSA), while the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT) will be in charge of regulating the service.
The project also included the refurbishment of the Loading Yard where the buses will be recharged and specialized technical assistance for the operation.
Collado emphasized that the initiative reflects the Government's commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism model.
“This is the vision of the President of the Dominican Republic. This is the structure and design of a sustainable tourism project that we are preparing. This is the Colonial City we dream of,” he said.
The minister also reported that Abinader instructed him to acquire five additional electric buses to expand service in the area.
Columbus's Alcázar reopens with new museography
As part of the day, the authorities also delivered the renovated Diego Colón Viceroyal Palace Museum, known as the Alcázar de Colón, which reopens its doors with a new museographic proposal.
The intervention incorporated audiovisual, digital and interactive resources, accessibility improvements and a broader historical narrative, distributed in 17 rooms, four galleries and a courtyard overlooking the Ozama River.
The renovation includes content about the life of Diego Columbus and Maria de Toledo, the indigenous peoples, enslaved people, and daily life in viceregal Santo Domingo.
During the work, a collection of 16th-century tapestries was also restored, in a project sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and the León Center.
The museum also features a new heritage lighting design for the building and its courtyard, as well as a visual projection towards Plaza de España.
Sustainable tourism and heritage preservation
Collado expressed his gratitude for the support of the European Union and the IDB for the execution of the projects developed in the Colonial City.
Authorities indicated that the interventions aim to preserve historical heritage, improve the mobility of residents and visitors, and strengthen the area's tourism offering through more sustainable alternatives.
The renovation of the Alcázar de Colón is part of the Revitalization of the Museums of the Colonial City project, which previously included the modernization of the Santo Domingo Fortress Museum and the Cathedral Museum, delivered in 2024.
The Colonial City of Santo Domingo was declared a World Heritage Site and is one of the country's main historical and tourist attractions.
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