While waiting for Jenelle to get ready I walked to the old cemetery. It is in the center of Santo Domingo on Independence Avenue and is quite picturesque with palm trees and white crosses. I walked all the way around looking for an entrance, but found the main gate locked.
I stopped a man on the street and asked him how to enter. He asked me where I was from and I said, “Soy Americano,” then clarified I was from the United States. He smiled and said, “We are the same. I will help you!”
We approached a gentleman on the corner sitting on a green plastic chair. He informed us the man with the keys hadn't arrived yet, but soon would come. I was very appreciative for their help, but didn't have the time to wait.
I made another lap around the cemetery, peering through the fence every chance I could. The grounds lacked maintenance. Tall grass grew all around. Although I wasn't able to go inside, I still enjoyed great views. The few stones I was able to read came with death dates from the early 1900's.
The first burial in the cemetery came in 1824 during the Haitian occupation. It was a 16-year old girl named Juana Flores. The histories describe her as a mulatta with dark hair that fell to her waist. Her parents were unwilling to accept her marriage to her lover, which caused Juana to fall into a deep depression. Unable to escape, she decided to take her own life and ingested a poisonous substance. The following day, August 29, 1824, she passed away. She is now known as the “Baroness” Juana Flores.
Several people are also buried here who died during the 1965 Revolution. Since that year there have been no further burials.
The cemetery lies outside the old city walls and away from the tourist center. Few foreigners, I would imagine, ever visit the cemetery. On this day, I would have to be satisfied with a couple laps around the grounds, peering through the bars. ♠
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