La Romana history

Foundation and Name Origins

The history of La Romana began in the late 19th century, making the city relatively young compared to other historical centres in the Dominican Republic. The official founding date is considered to be 1897, when the settlement received the status of an oil port. The city's name has a curious origin: it is linked to large Roman scales (in Spanish, la romana), which were used in the local port to weigh goods, particularly timber and other resources, before export.

Key Development Factors

The rapid transformation of a small settlement into an important economic hub was driven by several factors, amongst which geography and industry played the main roles:

• Strategic Location: The presence of a natural harbour on the southeast coast enabled the establishment of active maritime trade.
• Sugar Revolution: A decisive moment in the city's history arrived in 1917 with the construction of the massive Central Romana sugar mill. This enterprise became the foundation of the city and attracted significant investment.
• Infrastructure: Thanks to industrial growth, paved streets and utilities appeared in the city earlier than in many other regions of the country.

Early Economic and Cultural Features

In the early 20th century, La Romana developed primarily as a "company town". All life revolved around sugar production, which defined not only the economy but also the social structure. People flocked to the city from various parts of the country and neighbouring islands to work on plantations and at the factory, forming a multicultural community. Thanks to income from sugar exports, the city quickly acquired quality social infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, originally created for the company's employees and their families.

City Development Timeline

• 1897 — Official founding of the settlement as a trading port specialising in the export of precious timber.
• 1917 — Construction of the Central Romana sugar mill, turning the city into the main industrial centre of the country's east.
• 1945 — La Romana received the status of administrative centre of the new province of the same name, separating from the El Seibo region.
• 1967 — Acquisition of sugar production by the American corporation Gulf + Western, which started the diversification of the economy.
• 1974 — Opening of the Casa de Campo resort complex, marking the beginning of the era of elite international tourism in the region.
• 1976 — Start of construction of the Altos de Chavón cultural village, designed as a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean settlement.
• 1982 — Grand opening of the amphitheatre in Altos de Chavón with Frank Sinatra's "Concert for the Americas".
• 2000 — Commissioning of La Romana International Private Airport (LRM), ensuring a direct flow of tourists.
• 2002 — Modernisation of the port and opening of a cruise terminal capable of receiving large ocean liners.
• 2012 — Opening of the Coral Highway, significantly improving transport links between the city, the capital, and Punta Cana.

Key Stages of City Transformation

The history of La Romana is a journey from a small trading port to one of the most prestigious resorts in the Caribbean. Several turning points stand out, which radically changed the appearance and economy of the city:

• Launch of the Central Romana Plant (1917)
  The construction of the sugar combine became the main economic driver of the 20th century. This event turned the settlement into an industrial centre, provided thousands of jobs, and accelerated the arrival of electricity and water supply earlier than in other regions of the country.
• Obtaining Provincial Capital Status (1945)
  Administrative separation from El Seibo gave the city political autonomy. This allowed local authorities to manage the budget independently and plan urban development, contributing to the orderly growth of residential districts.
• Opening of Casa de Campo Resort (1974)
  This moment marked the beginning of economic diversification: from pure production to the service sector. The creation of a world-class resort attracted foreign capital and celebrities to the region, forming La Romana's image as an elite destination.
• Construction of Altos de Chavón (1976–1982)
  The erection of the "City of Artists" added cultural value to the region. The opening of a design school (a Parsons affiliate) and an amphitheatre turned the industrial city into a centre for the arts and a venue for concerts by global stars.
• Commissioning of the Private Airport (2000)
  The appearance of its own air harbour saved tourists from the need to travel via Santo Domingo. This sharply increased tourist flow and made the region accessible for direct flights from the USA and Europe.
• Port Modernisation and Cruise Terminal (2002)
  Reconstruction of the port to accommodate ocean liners opened the city to mass day tourism. This stimulated the development of small businesses, taxis, and souvenir trade in the city centre.
• Integration into the Road Network (2012)
  The opening of the Coral Highway connected La Romana via a high-speed motorway to Punta Cana and the capital. This simplified cargo logistics and traveller movement, firmly establishing the city's status as a key transport hub in the east of the country.

Urban Development and Architectural Appearance

Unlike Santo Domingo with its colonial past, La Romana is a comparatively young city whose architectural appearance was shaped by 20th-century industrialisation. The urban structure clearly reflects the history of a "factory town": a regular rectangular street layout prevails here, typical of settlements developing around a large industrial core — the Central Romana sugar combine.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The architecture of La Romana represents a contrasting combination of the functionalism of a working city and unique stylisations in resort zones. The following directions can be highlighted:

• Caribbean Vernacular (Early 20th Century): Traditional wooden buildings have been preserved in old residential districts, especially in zones where sugar industry workers lived. These are single-storey houses with gable roofs, verandas, and bright colours, adapted to the tropical climate.
• Industrial Style and Functionalism: The buildings of the sugar factory itself and administrative structures from the mid-20th century are made of concrete, with an emphasis on practicality and reliability. This is strict architecture without frills, forming the city's business centre.
• Mediterranean Stylisation (Postmodernism/Historicism): A unique phenomenon for the region was the Altos de Chavón project. Built in the 1970s–80s, it is not historical heritage in the literal sense but represents a masterful architectural imitation of a 16th-century European town.
• Resort Modernism: Modern elite architecture prevails within the Casa de Campo complex: villas combining minimalism, panoramic glazing, and the use of natural local materials (coral stone, wood).

Iconic Buildings and Locations

The appearance of the city and its surroundings is defined by several key objects belonging to different periods and styles:

• Church of Santa Rosa de Lima (Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima): The main temple of the city, located opposite Duarte Park. It is an example of modern religious architecture with neoclassical elements, distinguished by a strict white facade and a high bell tower.
• Altos de Chavón:
  • St. Stanislaus Church: A stone building stylised as early colonial architecture, which has become a symbol of the complex.
  • Greek Amphitheatre: A grand structure with 5,000 seats in antique style, built from limestone and organically integrated into the landscape.
• La Romana Obelisk (Obelisco de La Romana): A monumental structure at the entrance to the city, decorated with colourful murals depicting the daily life and history of the region.
• Central Romana Building: A massive industrial complex whose chimneys and corps dominate the city panorama, serving as a reminder of its industrial origins.

Distinguished Figures Associated with the City

The history and modern appearance of La Romana are inextricably linked with the names of visionaries, creators, and athletes who turned an industrial port into a centre of elite tourism and culture.

• Charles Bluhdorn
  Role: American industrialist, head of the Gulf + Western corporation.
  Significance: Considered the "father" of the region's tourism industry. It was his vision that led to the creation of the Casa de Campo resort and the unique village of Altos de Chavón. Bluhdorn invested in infrastructure development, turning sugar plantations into a prestigious world-class destination.
• Roberto Copa
  Role: Architect and set designer (former Paramount Pictures employee).
  Significance: The chief architect and creator of the visual look of Altos de Chavón. Using his experience in the film industry, he designed and built the "City of Artists", scrupulously recreating the atmosphere of a 16th-century Mediterranean village by hand using local stone.
• Oscar de la Renta
  Role: World-renowned fashion designer.
  Significance: Although born in Santo Domingo, his contribution to the development of La Romana is immense. He designed the interiors for the Casa de Campo hotel and played a key role in the establishment of the School of Design in Altos de Chavón, attracting the global artistic elite to the region.
• José Ignacio Morales "El Artístico"
  Role: Metal sculptor and public figure.
  Significance: A native of La Romana, famous for his monumental metal sculptures that adorn many cities in the country. His workshop in the city became an important cultural centre where local youths are taught the craft.
• Frank Sinatra
  Role: Legendary singer and actor.
  Significance: Forever inscribed the city into musical history by inaugurating the Greek amphitheatre in Altos de Chavón in 1982 with the "Concert for the Americas". This event cemented La Romana's status as a cultural venue of global scale.
• Edwin Encarnación
  Role: Professional baseball player, MLB star.
  Significance: A famous native of La Romana who achieved outstanding success in Major League Baseball (USA). He embodies the sporting potential of the province, which is known as a "forge of talent" for world baseball.