Ciudad Trujillo, a former name of the capital city of the Dominican Republic, is pronounced [sjuˈðað tɾu.ˈxi.ʝo]. The spelling reflects the Spanish pronunciation rules, where "c" followed by "i" or "e" is pronounced as [θ], and "j" is pronounced as [x]. The stress falls on the third syllable, and "ll" is pronounced as [ʝ]. The spelling change to Santo Domingo in 1961 was meant to remove any association with the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, who renamed the city after himself in 1936.
Ciudad Trujillo was the former name of the capital city of the Dominican Republic, now known as Santo Domingo. It was named after the country's founder, Christopher Columbus, whose full name was Christopher Columbus, also known as Cristóbal Colón in Spanish. This name was chosen to honor his role in the discovery and colonization of the Americas.
Ciudad Trujillo was established in 1498 and became the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. It served as the capital of the Spanish colony of Hispaniola, which included present-day Dominican Republic and Haiti, until 1795. The city played a crucial role during the colonial period as a hub for trade, government, and cultural exchange.
With a rich history spanning over five centuries, Ciudad Trujillo boasts various historical landmarks and architectural treasures. Notable attractions include the Alcázar de Colón, a grand 16th-century palace that once served as the residence of Columbus' son, Diego Columbus. The Ciudad Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, is the oldest inhabited European settlement in the Americas, featuring well-preserved colonial-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming plazas.
In 1936, the city was officially renamed Santo Domingo, a designation it still holds today. However, some older residents may still refer to it by its former name, Ciudad Trujillo, as a nostalgic reference to its colonial past and as an homage to the early days of the Dominican Republic.
The word "Ciudad Trujillo" has its etymology rooted in Spanish colonial history. It was the original name of the capital city of the Dominican Republic, now known as Santo Domingo.
The city was founded by Christopher Columbus's younger brother, Bartholomew Columbus, in 1496 and was named "La Nueva Isabela" after Queen Isabella I of Castile. However, it was later renamed "Santo Domingo" after Saint Dominic in honor of the Dominican Order.
During the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, who ruled the country from 1930 to 1961, he renamed Santo Domingo as "Ciudad Trujillo" in 1936 after himself. Trujillo used his autocratic power to impose this change and establish a cult of personality around his name.