Culture of the Dominican Republic Mercedes is an Olympic silver medalist, and judo. The architecture in the Dominican Republic represents a complex blend of diverse cultures. The deep influence of the European colonists is the most evident throughout the country. Characterized by ornate designs and baroque structures, the style can best be seen in the capital city of Santo Domingo, which is home to the first cathedral, castle, monastery, and fortress in all of the Americas, located in the city's Colonial Zone, an area declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The designs carry over into the villas and buildings throughout the country. It
National Anthem of the Dominican Republic National Anthem of the Dominican Republic The Dominican National Anthem is the national anthem of the Dominican Republic. Its music was composed by José Rufino Reyes Siancas (1835–1905), and its lyrics were authored by Emilio Prud’Homme (1856–1932). The first public performance of the national anthem took place on 17 August 1883. Though the music was an instant success, several objections were made to the lyrics for having various historical inaccuracies. In 1897, Prud’Homme submitted revised lyrics which stand to this day. On 7 June 1897, the Congress of the Dominican Republic passed an act adopting "Himno Nacional" with the original