Door of Mercy

The Puerta de la Misericordia, originally called "Puerta de Santiago" or "Puerta Grande", was the first gate of the city of Santo Domingo. The design and construction are the work of Arch. Rodrigo de Liendo, from the year 1543. The archaeological excavations of 1980, carried out during the restoration of the monument, brought to light two semi-elliptical forts that flanked it.1

In the colonial period, this gate served as access to the great savannah of the south, and connected with the fort of San Jerónimo and the gold mines in Haina. Militarily it was protected by the Fort of San Gil.

The Puerta de la Misericordia is of a sober design and Renaissance style. According to some, its name is due to the fact that after a strong earthquake in 1842, it served as a meeting point to ask God for mercy.1

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