About Fortaleza Ozama

Fortaleza Ozama is one of the oldest forts in the country. It dates back to the 16th century and took 6 years to construct. The walls of the fort hold a speciality - they are lined up with canons. The Gate of the Fortress is the main entrance gate of the fort. This gate was built in a magnificent and grand way, since it formed the first impression one had of the fort. You can see bullet holes in the gate, which were created as a result of the United States' second invasion of the Dominican Republic in 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent 42,000 marines. The bronze Statue of Oviedo was designed in 1977 by the Spanish artist Joaquín Vaquero Turcios. Oviedo was the governor of the fortress and warden of jail. In 1503, he had built The Tower of Homage. This tower is the longest in the fort with a height of 18m. This is one of the spectacular sites inside the fort, and has a long historical tale. The 2m thick outer walls have long slits, which the people inside used to get a good view of the outside surroundings; it gave them the advatnange of firing from inside, while it was difficult for an outsider to fire into the walls from it. You must see the Arsena, which is a rectangular-shaped building. Here, armoury and gunpowder were stored. This was built in the shape of a church to mislead the enemies. There are shooting platforms to protect the fort from low-level firing. The ramps were helpful in moving the canons to wherever needed. Experience military history at its finest when you visit this site.

Must See

The Arsenal, The Shooting Platform, Fortress Gate, Tower of Homage, Statue of Oviedo 

How to reach

By carro publicos:

It is just 13.5 km from the city centre. You will reach there in 25 minutes.

Tips

  • Take a guided tour for a better understanding of the fort's history.
  • Walk through the walls, where you can see the canons lined.
  • When taking a guide, make sure you fix the price beforehand or you will be charged a lot afterwards.
  • If you are a bird lover, take binoculars with you. This is a good place for bird-watching.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you need to walk a lot.
  • Carry drinking water to stay hydrated all day long.

Visit Time

Sunday: Open 24 hrs. 

Monday: Open 24 hrs. 

Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday: Open 24 hrs. 

Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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Waiting Time

No waiting time.

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Entry: 0.6 DOP

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Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

2 hours

 

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Weather

Broken Clouds 25.05°C

 

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