By José Arias
El Inmobiliario
SANTIAGO. -The legendary Los Pepines neighborhood, located in the very heart of Santiago de los Caballeros, houses a string of Victorian houses declared "Municipal Cultural Heritage" by the different city councils of the Heart City.
The typical Victorian houses of Los Pepines and Puerto Plata usually had high ceilings, large windows, and a wealth of decorative elements. It was also common to use materials such as brick, stone, and carved wood to give them an ornamental appearance.
In one of these historic and elegant homes, Ramón Matías Mella, one of the founders and defenders of our nation, passed away. Located in the heart of the historic center of the first Santiago in the Americas, it is the most emblematic neighborhood in the city. It was the birthplace of the Restoration government and houses a rich artistic and cultural heritage.
There, prominent national artists such as the late Víctor Víctor and our master of tropical music, Johnny Pacheco, were born.
A couple dancing the son in Los Pepines. Wholesome fun and a family atmosphere.
The Ventura Corner
In Los Pepines, there's "La Esquina de los Ventura," a recreational space for dancing to son music and enjoying drinks in moderation with friends and family. It's located at the intersection of 16 de Agosto and Gregorio Luperón streets.
It would be an affront to Santiago's tradition not to mention Casa Bader, which boasts an impressive 84 years of history. It is the most popular and representative brewery in Santiago and the Central Cibao region.
Los Pepines is bordered by San Luis Street to Santomé Street and by Del Sol Street to Estrelleta Street. Its most emblematic landmarks include the current Emilio Prud' Homme experimental school, located on 16 de Agosto Street, which served as the seat of the Restoration government from 1863 to 1865, in protest against annexation to Spain.
The Sanctuary of La Altagracia, located in the emblematic Los Pepines sector.
It is one of the few neighborhoods that remains almost entirely integrated into the so-called Historic Center of Santiago, where there are businesses that constitute a whole tradition.
It is the center of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Altagracia, in the church of the same name located at the beginning of the neighborhood. Founded in 1874, it is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Dominican Republic.
The historian Edwin Espinal Hernández, author of “Social History of Santiago de los Caballeros, 1863-1900” states that “until proven otherwise, the name of this neighborhood is due to the surname of a long-established family of residents of the area. General Pedro (Perico) Pepín, governor and commander of the Plaza de Armas of Santiago, and the eminent and unforgettable glory of the national teaching profession, Miss Ercilia Pepín, were born there.”.
When you visit Santiago, be sure to head to Los Pepines. Sway your hips to the rhythm of son, salsa, or merengue at "La Esquina de los Ventura" and enjoy a cold one at Casa Bader. Experience one of Santiago's historic and cultural hubs: Los Pepines.
Interview originally published in the print edition of El Inmobiliario .
Photos: Aneudy Tavarez.
