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The Montesinos statue is located on the malecon near to the port. It is 30 meters high and a great photo op with the Caribbean Sea as a back drop. I didn't enter the building, but took a few photos from the sidewalk. This is an important monument, as the Friar was the first to speak out about the rights of the indigenous people. His sculpture shows him in the act of delivering his famous sermon on 30 of November of 1511, where he criticized the treatment of the indians by the Spanish. The sermon created an uproar in town, and the son of Christopher Columbus, who was Governor, promised the townspeople that the Friar would take back his words at the next sermon. On 7th December, Montesinos continued his attack on the Spainish for their treatment of the indians. Montesinos was recalled to Spain, and sought audience with the King. This discussion led to the 1512 Laws of Burgos, which gave certain rights to the natives. In the building is a plaque with an excerpt of his famous speech. The sculptor is Antonio Castellanos, and is a gift from Mexico in 1982. Montesinos went on to establish the first catholic church in the USA in 1526, although this settlement only lasted a few months. He returned to Santo Domingo, and was appointed protector of the Indians in Venezuela. He again fought for the rights of the Indians, but was murdered in 1540 by an officer due to his support of the natives. Although Montesinos achieved rights for the Indians, in practice this didn't amount to much as they all died due to mistreatment and illness. When Columbus landed on the island in 1492, there were approximately 400,000 natives on the Island. By 1508, only 60,000 remained. The hard work in the mines caused the deaths of the Indians, and many committed suicide. The gold was more important to the Spanish than the well being of the locals. This was an important point in African and Caribbean history, as it was the beginning of the transfer of slaves from Africa to the Caribbean to replace the Indians. Montesinos also wrote the first official reclamation of freedom and equality of the people of the Americas. Other nearby attractions include Fort San Jose on the opposite side of the street, Park Montesino, which has a bust of the Friar and the monument to Japanese immigration.…
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Date of experience: January 2020
1 Helpful vote
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My tour guide took me to this monument. The government is focusing on this monument now. I read the reviews about it being dirty but I didn't find that. The building was immaculate. I watched the video with English subtitles so I understood what they were saying. I then walked to the top to study the monument. I feel it is worth your time. This man was the original human rights activist in 1511. Too bad this was after the Spaniards had wiped out all the indigenous people on the island.…
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Date of experience: July 2019
1 Helpful vote
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This was an impressive statue in a not so good plaza a short walk from the J W Marriott Hotel. There is no English information so you need to do your own research.
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Date of experience: November 2017
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Emma Fernández wrote a review Mar 2017
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic104 contributions30 helpful votes
This place has a great reason to exist: giving credit to the priest or fray that helped stop the mistreatment and abuse towards the indigenous population. Wonderful ocean view and cultural attraction. However, it needs to be kept clean for tourists.
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Date of experience: March 2017
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Very strange and ungly monument. Very dirty place. It is not worth it to spend time. Around the only stench and dirt.
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Date of experience: January 2017
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