Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic — Caribbean Region of the Americas (Hispaniola, Greater Antilles, West Indies)
Francisco X. Billini
al Gran Filantropo
Don Francisco X. Billini
Descubridor de los restos
de Don Cristobal Colon
en la Yglesia Catedral
de Santo Domingo
Instalador de la 1ª Casa de Beneficencia 1888
Creador y Sostenador
del Colegio de San Luis Gonzaga
Durante veintiséis años 1866
Fundador del 1er manicomio 1888
Francisco X. Billini
Discoverer of the remains of Christopher Columbus in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo
Founder of the first House of Beneficience 1888
Creator and Sustainer of the College of San Luis Gonzaga for 26 years 1866
Founder of the first mental asylum 1888
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 18° 28.33′ N, 69° 53.05′ W. Marker is in Ciudad Colonial, Distrito Nacional, in Santo Domingo. Marker is on Calle Padre Billini just east of Calle Arzobispo Meriño, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ciudad Colonial, Distrito Nacional 10210, Dominican Republic. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cathedral of Santo Domingo, First of the Americas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Plaza of the Priests (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Archbishop's Palace (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pope John Paul II's 1979 Visit to Santo Domingo (about 90 meters away); Cristóbal de Llerena (about 120 meters away); The Church and Convent of Santa Clara (about 120 meters away); The Founding of the Listín Diario (about 120 meters away); First City Hall in the Americas (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ciudad Colonial.
Regarding Francisco X. Billini. Francisco Xavier Billini (b. Santo Domingo, December 1, 1837 - d. March 9, 1896) was a Catholic priest and supporter of many philanthropic works. As the marker mentions, he was a supporter of hospitals and institutions to treat mental illness. He also started a national lottery (which still exists) to benefit social projects, newspapers, libraries and many other similar projects, besides founding a Catholic college and teaching there. Interestingly, the first thing that the marker mentions is related to something that happened by chance while he was assisting with some remodeling at the Cathedral of Santo Domingo. A box was found that had writing on it that seemed to indicate that it contained the bones of Christopher Columbus. While the origin of the remains has never been completely confirmed, it is a widely held belief in the Dominican Republic that they are from Columbus. The remains were finally moved in 1992 to the "Columbus Lighthouse" (Faro a Colón), a nearby monument dedicated to Columbus and his exploits.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 236 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 1, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.