The Monastery of San Francisco, the first monastery in America is located on a hill within the Colonial Zone de Santo Domingo. Its ruins are today visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world.
Nicolás de Obando and Cáceres, at that time governor and administrator of Hispaniola (current Dominican Republic) began the construction of the monastery after the arrival of the Franciscan fathers in 1508 and it was completed in 1560. It was built on a hill that overlooks the city.
The Monastery of San Francisco has suffered over the years the ravages of nature like hurricanes and earthquakes that cracked its infrastructure, as well as the malice and ambition of pirates, French and Haitians.
It was in the year 1805 that the destruction of the monastery began due to the incursion of the French in the Battle of Palo Hincado. That year they damaged the roof of the monastery and in 1809 they practically destroyed the vault.
In the years 1822 and 1844, under the Haitian domination Stones and architectural objects were stolen which contributed to its weakening, however, in 1847, the stones and other details were used again in the reconstruction.
Another phenomenon that destroyed almost the entire monastery was the cyclone San Zenón In the 1930s and 40s it was used as a place for the mentally ill.
One of the few souvenirs of the monastery is a bell that was carried to the bell tower of the Santa Barbara Church.
Currently it can be seen around the monastery the ruins of the chapel of the Third Order of Garay. Without a doubt, the ruins of San Francisco are one of the most important in the Dominican Republic and it is a must to visit it on your tour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.