National Palace (Dominican Republic)

National Palace
Palacio Nacional
The National Palace in Santo Domingo
General information
Architectural style	Neoclassical
Location	Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Coordinates	18°28′27″N 69°53′52″W
Construction started	February 27, 1944; 80 years ago (1944-02-27)
Completed	August 16, 1947
Technical details
Floor area	18,000 m^2 (190,000 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Guido D'Alessandro

The National Palace (Spanish: Palacio Nacional) is a building in Santo Domingo, that houses the offices of the executive branch (presidency and vice presidency) of the Dominican Republic.

History

Designed in a restrained neoclassical style by Italian architect Guido D'Alessandro at the behest of Rafael Trujillo, construction started on February 27, 1944—the centenary of Dominican independence—and was inaugurated on August 16, 1947. Occupying an area of 18,000 square metres and luxuriously appointed throughout, the National Palace is considered one of the most beautiful buildings built in the Dominican Republic.[1]

The building stands on the grounds of the former Presidential Mansion (Mansión Presidencial), built during the United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916–1924)

Dominican Republic national palace entrance interior.

In popular culture

The Palace and mainly the Hall of the Caryatids was used for the new year's scene in The Godfather Part II where Michael confronts Fredo about his betrayal.[2]

References

1. Editora Hoy. Nuestros Monumentos: Album Educativo en el Año del V Centenario del Descubrimiento y Envangelización de América. Santo Domingo: Editora Hoy, [1992].
2. "El Padrino parte II". www.diariolibre.com. Retrieved 2016-03-18.

External links

• Tour of the National Palace (in Spanish): https://web.archive.org/web/20090829232216/http://www.presidencia.gob.do/app/galeria.aspx