Faro a Colón

Located in the Parque Mirador del Este (Eastern Lookout Park), the Lighthouse of Columbus (tel. 809/592-1492, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sun.) costs a lot of money, was built in controversy, and houses controversy within as well. On the eastern bank of the Río Ozama, this gigantic structure stands 10 stories high and is in the shape of a cross. When there is sufficient power (almost never) or on special occasions, the high-powered lights along the top shine into the night, forming a white cross in the sky. With one flick of a switch, the faro can cause a blackout throughout Santo Domingo and has become a rather tired joke among the locals.

However, inside the structure is what is truly interesting. In the midsection of the cross is a tomb, guarded by soldiers in all-white uniforms, containing what is thought by many to be Columbus’s remains. This is a controversial topic, as Spain and Italy both claim to have his remains elsewhere. Throughout the rest of the long structure are various displays of the indigenous people from many different nations—an ironic juxtaposition with the highly glorified and proudly displayed remains of Columbus.