The people of the Caribbean are very warm and show great hospitality. Embodied in their lifestyle, felt in their dance, food, and music and even in their architecture is a rich culture that is truly unique. Individuals who are planning an unforgettable vacation or dreaming of relocating to this wonderful place someday, should learn about the culture of this region. Houses in the Caribbean are exquisitely designed and readily available. Caribbean condos are located in places where the sun and the sea are right outside one’s doorsteps. Every nook and crook of its villas and resorts is a reflection of their extraordinary culture.

The history of the Dominican Republic contributes to its growth and popularity as a famous vacation destination today. There are three historical influences reflected in its architecture, which are worth discovering. It will give people a whole new outlook on the real estate in the country and the hidden art of its past.

Even before the arrival of Columbus and Spanish colonies, indigenous peoples called the Taino, were already inhabitants of the Dominican Republic. Their livelihood depended on the mahogany and guano (dried palm tree leaf) from which they created crafts, artwork, furniture, and houses.

In the Caribbean, visitors will see the imitation thatched-roofs, mahogany-based walls, and supports of a typical Taino house. There are also hammocks used by these indigenous people as there sleeping quarters. Modern houses in the Caribbean today, no longer make use of these natural materials.

The Spaniards deeply influenced Caribbean culture from its language to its architecture. Tourists can hear Spanish spoken in the markets or sample its famous la bandera dish. The people adopted Spain’s complex architecture, which sharply contrasted to the simple Taino furniture and houses. Caribbean condos are a combination of the complicated flair of the Spanish and the simple style of the Taino’s.

Spanish architecture favors ornate designs and baroque structures. These styles are seen in the churches and buildings in the capital city of Santo Domingo. Villas and buildings throughout the country are also representative of Spanish architecture. Travelers can see buildings with stucco exteriors, arched doors & windows, and red tiled roofs.

The influx of tourism and the demand for more Caribbean vacation homes influenced a change in the architecture in the Dominican Republic. They now incorporate cutting-edge designs that speak of luxury. The majority of architectural villas and hotels are transforming their styles by introducing new modern styled homes while holding on to the past styles of their ancestors.

The Dominican Republic’s rich history and various cultures have created something new, especially in architecture; a combination of the three major styles: a villa may contain angular, modernist building construction, Spanish Colonial-style arched windows, and a traditional Taino hammock in the bedroom balcony. The architecture of houses in the Caribbean is rich in history and many Caribbean condos reflect echoes of the past.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 3rd, 2012 at 5:57 am and is filed under Dominican Republic Condos, Dominican Republic Villas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.