There has always been a place in Santo Domingo for civil, social, political, and religious events – a small square with a playground field, surrounded by tiny houses. Its only advantage was that it was located in the city center. Everybody found it convenient to go there for the latest news or to share their opinion.

Gradually, Santo Domingo became more extensive, beautiful and modern, and the gathering place of its citizens remained unremarkable.

It all changed in 1957 when a grand-scale construction started here. The locals initiated it to turn this, practically, wasteland into a beautiful spot. The city authorities supported the idea and helped reconstruct the space to make it look appropriate. And in a year, the central park of Santo Domingo appeared there. It was named Zaracay Park.

Not only is it a lovely and cozy location, but it bears a particular meaning as well. If you look around carefully and count the benches surrounding the monument of Joaquín Zaracay, you will find out that there are 17 of them. Why is that so? The answer is simple: each of them symbolizes the existing provinces of Ecuador. It is kind of a statement of independence, freedom and unity of the country.

Besides, the square hosts the main church of the city. It is a picturesque example of Romanesque architecture the construction of which lasted more than a century. The project of the temple got constantly changed and renewed; that was the fate of many temples in Ecuador. But as a result, this country has unique and stunningly gorgeous cathedrals with no replicas anywhere in the entire world.

The main attraction of the park is the statue located right in the center of the square. It is a monument to Joaquín Zaracay, the first mayor of the city, who is remembered and honored by all citizens of Santo Domingo.