There are some museums dedicated to the history of the Dominican Republic, the Museo de las Casas Reales is dedicated to the colonial period; while the soon-to-be renovated Museo de Historia y Geografía is dedicated to the Dominican history prior the Discovery up to contemporary times. The history of the Independence is summarized in the Museo y Casa de Duarte and the Altar de la Patria.

The number of historically important buildings in the Colonial Zone is staggering: Columbus' tomb, the first Cathedral in the Americas, the house of Hernan Cortis, conqueror of Mexico, Diego Columbus' palace.