Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración: Las Escaleras

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A black, white, and light blue striped header image reading Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración: Las Escaleras

Back in June, I visited Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración (Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration) in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic. In my last post, I described las plazoletas (little plazas) around the monument. My second stop was las escaleras (the stairs). Beautifully cast bronze statues line the steps of the monument. The most popular statues depict members of a political triad just before the Restoration:

  • Juan Pablo Duarte served as the leader of the triad and is called “Padre de la patria” (Father of the fatherland). Despite his work during la Guerra de Independencia Dominicana (Dominican War of Independence) and the Restoration, he was exiled by political rivals and died in Venezuela.
  • His predecessor and the first president of the Dominican, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, also participated in the War of Independence but was assassinated before the Restoration.
  • The third member of their political triad, Matías Ramón Mella, is listed on the plaque underneath his bronze statue with his first and middle name reversed, likely because he was called Ramón by family and friends. Mella served in the armies during the War of Independence and the Restoration, and he later became the vice president of the Dominican.
Bronze Statue of Juan Pablo Duarte, a Hispanic man with a prominent mustache wearing 19th century clothing Bronze Statue of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, an Afro-Hispanic man wearing 19th century clothing Bronze Statue of Matías Ramón Mella, a Hispanic man holding a long scroll and wearing 19th century clothing.

Some of the other statues include:

  • José Cabrera, a teacher and soldier during the Restoration who happens to have an incredibly common name.
  • José Contreras, a military general considered the first hero and martyr of the Restoration.
  • Benito Monción, another military general and hero.
Bronze Statue of José Cabrera; a Hispanic man wearing 19th century clothing Bronze Statue of José Contreras; a Hispanic man wearing 19th century clothing Bronze Statue of Benito Monción; a Hispanic man wearing a 19th century military uniform
  • General Gregorio Luperón, whose other statue down below amid the plazas depicts him riding a horse into battle. Here, he wears his military uniform complete with a hat on his head and a sword at his side, reminding the viewers that he is “Primera Espada de la Restauración” (First Sword of the Restoration)
  • Pedro Antonio Pimentel, the president who transitioned the country from the Restoration to the Second Republic
  • José Antonio “Pepillo” Salcedo, the first president during the Restoration who was executed by his successor
Bronze Statue of General Gregorio Luperón, a Hispanic man wearing a 19th century military uniform including a hat with his sword in its sheath at his waist. Bronze Statue of Pedro Antonio Pimentel, a Hispanic man wearing a 19th century military uniform and carrying a sword Bronze Statue of José Antonio “Pepillo” Salcedo, a Hispanic man wearing a 19th century military uniform with his hand at his waist
  • Gaspar Polanco, the military general and second president of the Restoration, who executed Salcedo and was quickly overthrown.
  • Campesino Guerrillero (Peasant Guerrilla), representing a freedom fighter from the countryside, similar to a minuteman patriot in the United States.
  • Campesina Guerrillera, the female counterpart to Campesino Guerrillero.
Bronze Statue of Gaspar Polanco; a Hispanic man wearing a 19th century military uniform half-hidden by trees Bronze State of a Campesino Guerrillero; a Hispanic man with no shirt so he can show off his abs. He has a messanger bag slung across his body. Bronze State of a Campesina Guerrillera; a Hispanic woman wearing a traditional Dominican dress and a scarf over her head. Her hair is in two braids laid over her shoulders.

The stairs of the monument are an amazing opportunity to quickly learn about the many political and military leaders of the Dominican during the 19th century. Signage is in Spanish and has limited information, so you will have to learn more about each person on your own. No audio tour is available at this time. The tall, steep stairs can be difficult to traverse. Be aware of local people relaxing and enjoying the views from the steps, especially younger couples on a date.


Abby Epplett’s Rating System

Experience: 8/10

Accessibility: 4/10



Location: F824+946 Daniel Espinal, Santiago De Los Caballeros 51000, Dominican Republic