National Palace (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.
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)
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.
References
- ^ Editora Hoy. Nuestros Monumentos: Album Educativo en el Año del V Centenario del Descubrimiento y Envangelización de América. Santo Domingo: Editora Hoy, [1992].
- ^ "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