Obverse: The National Palace (Palacio Nacional) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Reverse: The Alcázar de Colón, or Columbus Alcazar in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Printed by Thomas de la Rue, London.
The Alcázar de Colón, or Columbus Alcazar, located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is the oldest Viceregal residence in America, and forms part of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. The building houses the Museo Alcázar de Diego Colón, which is the most visited museum in Santo Domingo.
The palace is an impressive construction of coralline blocks that once housed some fifty rooms and a number of gardens and courtyards. It was built under Diego Colón, the son of Christopher Columbus; when he became Viceroy of La Española and the Indies in 1509, he ordered the construction of a family home and governor’s mansion between 1510 and 1512.
During the early Spanish colonial period, the mansion occupied a very important place in history. It was from here that many expeditions of conquest and exploration were planned. In 1586, the palace was sacked by Sir Francis Drake and his forces. As the influence of Santo Domingo waned, the house fell into ruins, and by the mid-18th century was abandoned. It was rescued and extensively restored between 1955 and 1957.