La Vega

About

Founded in 1495 at the foot of a fort built by Christopher Columbus the previous year, La Vega was the first gold boom town in the Dominican Republic, and for a time, one of the largest and most important European settlements in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, an earthquake in 1564 cut La Vega’s glory days short, and the city had to be rebuilt on the bank of the Camú River. Today, you can still see the remnants of this original settlement, including parts of the fort and other building foundations at the Pueblo Viejo National Park. Within La Vega proper, the main draw is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which has an unusual “modernist castle” design. But what Vega is best known for is its colorful Carnival - a tradition dating back to 1520. For the entire month of February the city is an explosion of vibrant costumes, live music, and festivities, which attract more than a half-million visitors.