Cuba information - Cuban cities

 

 

1. Cuba - Havana

 

 

Havana is the biggest city of the Caribbean area. It has 2,2 millions of inhabitants. It is a political, intellectual and administrative centre. Wars of the last 200 years didn’t damage the city at all. The Old Town - Habana Vieja, part of the World Heritage since 1982 - is probably the most beautiful undamaged art relic district from the colonial times.

The cobbled streets of Havana are full of kind and sociable people. Even though life is not easy here (houses in bad condition, out of date plumbing) the ‘habeneros’ are very friendly and make a big impression on visitors.

Havana is like a coquette: lures to explore its charm but never shows everything. Many people returns because of this and many never leave at all.

San Cristobal de la Habana was founded in 1514 at the southern coastline of Cuba at the mouth of River Mayabeque. Today it is an under-populated marshland. A few years later the settlement moved to the mouth of River Almendares - today it is between Vedado and Miramar districts. The city found its final place next to the harbour in 1519.

Even though Havana was one of the first 7 settlements - founded by Diego Velazquez -, leaders of the country never wanted it to be the capital of Cuba. The reason of this was the north-western location of the city that made it inappropriate to control the central and eastern part of the country. 

First they paid attention to Havana during the conquests of the Spanish in Mexico and Peru. Location of the city at the entrance of the Mexico Bay opposite to a coastline that is stroked by the Gulf Stream made it a perfect meeting point of the fleets carrying treasures. Its significance increased fast and in 1556, the Spanish king moved his seat to Havana from Santiago de Cuba. For the next 200 years Havana became the most important harbour of America and the gate of the Spanish empire. The settlement became a city in 1592 and then capital of the colony in 1607. 

In 1555 Jacques de Sores and his pirates fleeced Havana. Afterwards between 1558 and 1630 fortresses La Fuerza, La Punta and El Morro were built. Between 1674 and 1740 they built a strong wall around the city. The walls stalled off the pirates but they couldn’t protect the city from the attack of Earl Albemarle. The Britains occupied Havana in 1762 and kept for 11 months. One year later the Spanish got back Havana in return for Florida and they reinforced the walls and built up fortress La Cabana. After the British occupation the Spanish liberated the trade in Havana and from 1818 Cuba could sell its own sugar, coffee, tobacco and rum anywhere in the world.

The railway was built in 1837, the gas-light in the streets appeared in 1848, the telegraph in 1851, the public transport in 1862, the telephone in 1888 and electricity in 1890. The city remained untouched during the wars of independence so its population was 250.000 in 1902 (in the 16th century it was 4.000).

Sights of Havana: Cathedral Square, Saint Christopher Cathedral of Havana, Plaza de Armas, Municipal Museum, Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Museum of Natural Science, Tobacco Museum, Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, Stock Exchange, Fountain of Lions, Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Rum Museum, Plaza Vieja, House of Jose Marti, Capitolio, Gran Theatre of Havana, Central Park, National Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Revolution, Prado, Hotel Nacional de Cuba, University of Havana, Almendares Park, Plaza de la Revolucion, Jose Marti monument, Necropolis Christopher Columbus, Bodeguita del Medio Bar, Floridita Bar, Partagas Fabrica cigar factory, Fortress Morro, San Cristobal de Colon cemetery, La Rampa…

Programmes in Havana: In odd years FolkCuba is held in January; during last week of the month the International Book Festival is waiting for guests; in April the drum festival, PerCuba, attracts visitors; in May the guitar festival and in June the International Bolero Festival is ready to entertain. Representatives of rap and Cuban hip hop gather together in August and Theatre Festival of Havana is held every second year in September. In October the Contemporary Music Festival and in every second year the Ballet Festival is organized. We can listen to music at the Jazz Festival every second year in December and watch movies at New Latin - American Film Festival. You can’t be bored in Havana!

 

 

2. Cuba - Pinar del Rio

 

 

Pinar del Rio, this vivid city is located 162kms far from Havana to the south-west. The streets of the city abound with bicyclists and horse carriages and the neo-classical colonnades next to the roads are hiding many interesting sights.

Pinar del Rio is one of the youngest big cities of Cuba, it was established in 1669. It joined to the second war of independence under General Antonio Maceo in 1896. Unfortunately the government disregarded the city very much but after the revolution development started, for example they built the motorway connecting the city with Havana.

Sights of Pinar del Rio: Sandalio de Noda Museum of Natural Science, Historical Museum of Province, Fabrica de Bebidas Casa Garay brandy factory, Fabrica de Tabacos Franciso Donatien cigar factory, Jose Jacinto Milanes Theatre...

Programmes in Pinar del Rio: It is recommended to visit the city at the beginning of July as that time you can see beautifully decorated cars in the streets in the dancing crowd.

 

 

3. Cuba - Matanzas

 

 

Matanzas was established right at the coast of the Bay of Matanzas where San Juan and Yumuri rivers encounter. Most of the tourists just drive through the city but those who give it a chance will be enchanted by its atmosphere and teeming cultural life.

It is said that Matanzas was named after the slaughter of the Spanish (slaughter means matanza in Spanish) after an early rebellion of the aborigines. The city was established on 30 October 1693 by 30 families coming from the Canary Islands as ordered by the Spanish king, Charles II. The city started to develop after building big sugar mills between 1817 and 1827. Railway from Havana arrived in 1843. In the second half of the 19th century Matanzas was the second biggest city of Cuba: it not only had its own newspaper, library and secondary school but also theatre and philharmonic orchestra. Matanzas was known as ‘Athens of Cuba’.

Sights of Matanzas: Calixto Garcia Bridge, Plaza de la Vigia, Ediciones Vigia, Sauto Theatre, Libertad Park with brazen-statue of Jose Marti, Pharmacy Museum, the old palace of government, El Retablo Gallery, Records, Borromeo Saint Charles Cathedral, Junco Palace, Versalles district (Concordia Bridge, Saint Peter Apostle Church), San Severino Castle, Tropicana Matanzas. Matanzas is famous of rumba, the Marina district (over Concordia Bridge) is home of the most famous ‘rumberos’, like the Los Munequitos de Matanzas Association. 

Programmes in Matanzas: 10-day Festival of Rumba Dancers is held every year from 10th October in Sauto Theatre.

 

 

4. Cuba - Varadero

 

 

140kms east from Havana is located Varadero, the biggest holiday resort of the Caribbean. Varadero is waiting for the guests with a 20-km-long white sandy beach, several top quality hotels and countless sport facilities. Although Varadero was the holiday resort of Cubans since 1872, it only became internationally known in the late 1930's when the famous American millionaire, Irenee Dupont de Nemours bought an estate here and built a big castle, golf court, airport and yacht harbour. Soon other rich Americans followed him and Varadero became a hiding place of American millionaires. Even the head of the mafia of Chicago, Al Capone spent some time here.

Sights of Varadero: market of arts at Central Park, Saint Elvira Church, Municipal Museum, Josone Park, Plaza America, Aquarium, Ambrosio cave, Varahicacos Ecological Reserve... 

Programmes in Varadero: Carnival of Varadero is held at the end of January and beginning of February every year, golf competitions are held in June and October.

 

 

5. Cuba - Cardenas

 

 

The small city of Cardenas became famous because of 2 big events: the Cuban flag was first raised here (in 1850 by General Narciso Lopez) and this is the hometown of Elian and Juan Miguel Gonzalez, the two main characters of the emigration drama of 1999-2000*. The hero of the revolution, Jose Antonio Echeverria was also born here. 

Cardenas (‘City of the flag’) is situated at the coast of the Bahia de Cardenas, 18kms south-east from Varadero. It was established in 1828 and it became the hearth of Cuba’s biggest sugarcane producing area in the 19th century. 

Sights of Cardenas: flagpole, Arrechabala Rum Factory, house of Jose Antonio Echeverria, Museum of War of Conceptions, Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, market hall...

 

 

* Elizabeth Broton Gonzalez, a young, divorced woman got on an overcrowded boat in Cardenas with her boyfriend and 11 other people. She also took his 5-year-old son, Elian and left to Florida. With her decision she generated such events that she would had never thought before.

This time the USA and Cuba tried to end the trespassing of Cuban emigrants by the law and they wanted to deter Cubans from leaving the island and crossing the 90-mile-wide Florida Channel on board of boats that were in very bad condition. It didn’t hold back mother of Elian and when the boat made bad weather Elizabeth and 10 of her fellow-passangers were drowned. Two days later an American fisherman saved 3 survivors from the sea. One of them was Elian who was hanging on an inner tube. Escape of the boy on 25 November 1999 (Thanksgiving) caused such emotions that it was published on front page of many newspapers.

Instead of sending the child back to his father in Cuba, he was sent to his second cousins in Miami. They immediately put up to court for the permanent ward of them. In Cuba it was considered to be kidnapping and provocation of the USA. It also caused red-hot in the community of Cuban - Americans in Miami. They thought that it was Elian’s only chance for a free life and if they had sent him back to Cuba it would had been his imprisonment for a lifetime.

The court didn’t find any legal title to separate Elian from his father who was a model father. The American family and immigration law such as the international law said that Elian had to return to his father in Cuba. Despite of court’s order the relatives denied to give Elian back. 

All over Cuba conventions claiming Elian’s return were held. The biggest of them was in April 2000 at the Malecon in Havana: about 300.000 people demonstrated here. The Cuban government sent a mediator group to Miami but they were inefficient too. After this Juan Miguel Gonzalez also flew there. The relatives in Miami didn’t let him to see his son and the house was surrounded by anti-Castro groups. This time President of the United States, Bill Clinton, the American Minister of Justice, Janet Reno and 70% of the American public opinion thought that Elian should had been let home.

Finally, one night Reno sent a special team of the police to the house, they brought him out and gave him back to his father. They stayed at a safe house in Washington while the family tried to appeal against decision of court.

After 7 months, in summer of 2000 Juan Miguel Gonzalez and his son, Elian returned to their home in Cuba.

In people’s mind something changed after this case. A republican deputy said: ‘He (Elian) made us realize that not only Fidel Castro lives in Cuba.’ The deputy also stood by the bill to cancel the embargo of medicines and food.

 

 

6. Cuba - Cienfuegos

 

 

Cienfuegos is big enough to give something for the lovers of arts and pleasure-seekers and it is small enough to preserve its charm. It is easy to find one’s way about the city at Bahia de Cienfuegos. The bay opening to the Caribbean Sea, this wonderful coastline also contributes to the label of Cienfuegos: ‘Pearl of the South’.

Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 and it was named Fernandina de Jagua. Two years later it had to be rebuilt because a hurricane totally destroyed it. Its name was changed to Cienfuegos in 1830 after the leader General Jose Cienfuegos. Heritage of the first settlers from Bordeaux and French refugees from Louisiana can be seen everywhere: pale skin, blue eyes and blond hair of locals for example.

Sights of Cienfuegos: Jose Marti Park, Arch of Triumph, Tomas Terry Theatre, Benjamin Duarte Cultural House with look-out tower, Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, palace of government, Museum of Province, Punta Gorda, Valle Palace, La Reina cemetery, National Naval History Museum...

Programmes in Cienfuegos: Local festivals and cultural events are related to the establishment of the city 22 April 1819. Carnival of Cienfuegos is held in August.

 

 

7. Cuba - Trinidad

 

 

Trinidad and Valle de los Ingenios, next to it, were declared to be World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO in 1988. When we enter the city we can see the reasons of it: the beautiful renovated houses, majestic churches and covered inner yards still have the atmosphere of the colonial times. The special architecture and natural surroundings (the city is situated between the coast and the mountains of Tope de Collantes) give a superlative atmosphere to Trinidad.

The first Cuban governor, Diego Velazquez founded La Villa de la Santisima Trindiad in 1514. This was the third settlement in Cuba after Baracoa and Bayamo. Despite its early establishment Trinidad was overshadowed until the end of the 18th century. It only imported slaves and other goods from the British Jamaica. The two most important agricultural sections were the cattle breeding and cultivation of tobacco. At the beginning of the 19th century the city became the centre of the Departamento Central and the first French refugees fleeing out of the rebellion of slaves in Haiti arrived. They built up more then 50 small sugar mills close to the city.

Sugar soon took over the role of the leather and corned beef. In the middle of the 19th century 1/3 of Cuba’s sugar was produced in the mills around Trinidad. Sugar producing caused well-fare, the beautiful sights of the city were created at this time. During the two wars of independence the sugarcane plantations were ruined and the development stopped. Time has already stopped in Trinidad: baroque churches, marvel floors, wrought-iron gates, red tiled roofs and cobbled streets hardly changed in the last 150 years.

Sights of Trinidad: Historical Museum of Town, Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Romantic Museum, Art Gallery, National Museum of the War against Bandits, Tobacco Factory, Saint Anne Church, Potters’ Workshop, palaces of sugar barons...

Programmes in Trinidad: The Cultural Week of Trinidad is in January. The 3-day Saint John Fest is held at the last weekend of July.

 

 

8. Cuba - Santa Clara

 

 

Santa Clara is halfway between Havana and Camaguey, 196kms south-east from Varadero.

Here everything reminds to history: colonial monuments, colonial hotels and restaurants. One of the most important universities of Cuba is located 8kms from Santa Clara, the many students fill the city with youthful energy.

Columbus thought about Cubanacan (located next to Santa Clara) that it was an Indian village, central of Mongolian khans. Because of this mistake he thought he had discovered the Asian coasts. Ancestor of Santa Clara was established in 1689 by the settlers arriving from Remedios. They tried to get rid of the attacks of the pirates. In 1692 a big fire desolated Remedios and at that time the new city developed even faster. Santa Clara became the capital of Las Villas province in 1867 and in 1873 the railway arrived from Havana. This was the first city that was liberated from the regime of Batista’s troops in December 1958. Hero of the revolution, Che Guevara was buried here that’s why the city is known as ‘City of CHE’.

Sights of Santa Clara: Ernesto Che Guevara monument, Monument of capturing the armoured train, Abel Santamaria Museum of Province, Vidal Park, La Caridad Theatre, Museum of Arts and Crafts, City Hall, Church of Our Lady, Palace of Justice...

 

 

9. Cuba - Sancti Spiritus

 

 

Sancti Spiritus invites for a walk with its charming colourful colonial facades and cobbled streets. Founded at the coast of River Tuinicu in 1514 Sancti Spiritus was the oldest town in the inner part of Cuba. It moved to its final location to River Yayabo in 1522. This river was named after two special Cuban things: one of these is the ironed guayabera shirt that was first manufactured here and the other one is the fruit guayaba that still grows at the riverside. The bridge over the river is a national symbol. 

Sancti Spiritus, located close to the geographical centre of Cuba (between to Santa Clara and Ciego de Avila), became the capital of the province in 1976. Biggest reservoir of Cuba, Embalse Zaza is south-east from here.

Sights of Sancti Spiritus: Yayabo Bridge, Principal Theatre, Colonial Art Museum, Main Parish Church of Holy Spirit, Museum of the Foundation Nature and Man, Church of Our Gracious Lady, Museum of Province, Museum of Natural Science, house of Serafin Sanchez, Art Gallery...

 

 

10. Cuba - Camaguey

 

 

Camaguey - lying halfway between Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba - fascinates the visitor upon arrival. Its buildings from the colonial times are hiding colourful glass paintings and inner yards with lush vegetation. Pastel coloured churches welcome the guests. Camaguey is the city of ‘tinajones’: this is the name of the big clay pots used to collect and keep cold water during drought in the yards. According to an old legend if you drink from a tinajone you will fall in love with the city. Another legend says if a boy drinks from the tinajone of a girl they will fall in love and would they never separate.

The city, founded in 1514, was moved twice because of the frequent Indian rebellions and bad quality of the soil around it. It arrived to its final location in 1528. The location was chosen to protect the city from the attacks. Streets of Camaguey were built such muddled on purpose to mislead the pirates. In spite of this strategy the English pirate, Henry Morgan attacked the city in 1668 then in 1679 Francois Granmont also robbed it.

Famous sons of Camaguey were the poet of Cuba, Nicolas Guillen and the doctor, Carlos J. Finlay who explored the pathogen of yellow fever.

Sights of Camaguey: Ignacio Agramonte Museum of Province, Church of the Gracious Virgin, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Plaza del Carmen, house of Nicolas Guillen, Mercado Agropecuario El Rio market, Ignacio Agramonte Park, house of Ignacio Agramonte, Finlay House, Jose Marti Park, Casino Campestre... 

Programmes in Camaguey: The Cultural Days of Camaguey are held in February in remembrance of the foundation of the city. The stormy Carnival is organized at the end of June to entertain both locals and tourists. On 10 October starts a 10-day music festival with many interesting programmes.

 

 

11. Cuba - Holguin

 

 

Holguin, also known as ‘the city of parks’, is the fourth biggest city of Cuba with friendly atmosphere. It doesn’t have as many colonial buildings as Trinidad, Camaguey or Santiago de Cuba but the revival of the city also started here,  picturesque market places and important art relic buildings have already been renovated.

San Isidoro de Holguin, founded in 1523, became the capital of the community in 1752. At the end of the 19th century the city was scene of long battles during the two wars of independence. In 1975, when Oriente was divided into 5 provinces, Holguin became the capital of one of them.

Sights of Holguin: Cespedes Park, Saint Joseph Church, Holguin Gallery, Calixto Garcia Park, Historical Museum of Province, Museum of Natural Science, Peralta Park, Plaza de La Marqueta, Lugones Printing House...

Programmes in Holguin: In the first week of May Farewell of May is held, that is accompanied by programmes, music and poetry during a whole week. This is time for the national competition of rappers and pilgrimage to La Loma de la Cruz too. Carnival of Holguin is organized at the end of August - you can listen to open air concerts, dance, eat pork and drink some strong drinks too.

 

 

12. Cuba - Bayamo

 

 

Bayamo is located halfway on the main road connecting Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. The city has a pleasant, fresh atmosphere although not many visit it even nowadays.

San Salvador de Bayamo was the second Cuban city founded by Diego Velazquez in November 1513. In the colonial times the city was the central of a rich region famous for its animal keeping farms and sugarcane plantations. Bayamo always forewent its age: on 20 October 1868 rebels, led by Cespedes, occupied it on the 10th day of the first war of independence. Cuban anthem of Perucho Figueredo, composed in 1868, begins with this: "Al combate corred, bayamese" (Run to the battle people of Bayamo). On 12 January 1869 the rebellion's troop was put down at River Cauto, the inhabitants of Bayamo burned the city instead of giving it to the enemy. The city was also destroyed in 1895, during the second war of independence but visitors can see nothing from the sad history in the streets of Bayamo today.

Sights of Bayamo: Cespedes Park, City Hall, house of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, Museum of Province, Holy Saviour Main Parish Church, Capilla de la Dolorosa, Estrada Palma House, Tower of Evangelist Saint John, Nico Lopez Museum...

 

 

13. Cuba - Santiago de Cuba

 

 

Santiago de Cuba is the second biggest city of the country. The French, settled down in the 19th century, made this melting pot of Haitian, Spanish and African culture more colourful. Most of the Caribbean characteristics can be found here.

Santiago de Cuba is located at the Sierra Maestra Mountain and its natural, big bay harbour made it a very important port for five centuries. The railway line starting in Havana ends here and the central main road also crosses Santiago de Cuba on the way to Guantanamo.

Santiago de Cuba was founded many kilometres further by Diego Velazquez in 1514. It was moved to its final location in 1522 where a horseshoe shaped harbour was waiting for it. Santiago de Cuba was the capital of the island between 1515 and 1607, even after the Spanish military leaders seated in Havana from 1556. Seminario de San Basilio Magno Theological University was founded in 1722, many years before the University of Havana. Bishop of Santiago was the biggest parochial dignity of Cuba till 1788. That time Havana also got a bishop. We could mention many examples of the rivalry of these two cities.

When gold stocks of Santiago de Cuba waned, Spanish treated the Indian workers very cruelly and the inhabitants of the settlements moved to Havana. In 1554 Jacques de Sores robbed Santiago, in 1662 Henry Morgan,the English pirate burglarized it and in 1675 (and then also in 1852 and 1932) an earthquake destroyed it. It became the capital of the eastern part of the island in 1607 this time the fortresses around the city were built. In 1791 rebellion of salves broke out in Haiti and French refugees arrived to the area. Thanks to them number of coffee, cotton-plant and sugarcane plantations grew around the city. They also brought many slaves so the proportion of black inhabitants was the biggest in today’s Oriente. Famous mulatto general Antonio Maceo was born here in 1845. 

Fidel Castro and his fellows attacked the Moncada barrack in Santiago de Cuba on 26 July 1953. This was the first action of the revolution that caused significant changes in the history of Cuba. The famous sentence: ‘History will absolve me...’ from Fidel Castro Castro’s 4-hour-long speech also originates from Santiago.

After the victorious revolution on 1 January 1959 Fidel Castro stepped in front of the public and announced the victory in Santiago de Cuba. After these events got the city its name: ‘Heroic City of the Republic of Cuba’.

Sights of Santiago de Cuba: Cespedes Park, City Hall, house of Diego Velazquez, Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Balcony of Velazquez, Church of Our Lady del Carmel, Saint Francis Church, Carnival Museum, Rum Museum, Emilio Bacardi Moreau Municipal Museum, Plaza de Dolores, Plaza de Marte, House of Traditions, Alameda Park, house  of Antonio Maceo, Bacardi Rum Factory, Moncada barrack, Vista Alegre, Pioneer Palace, Zoo, Caribbean House, Santa Ifigenia cemetery, Fortress San Pedro del Morro, Jardin de los Helechos garden, house of Jose Maria Heredia...

Programmes in Santiago de Cuba: Summer is an exciting period in Santiago de Cuba because of the many interesting events. It starts with the Feast of San Juan (24 June) when dancers of cultural companies and inhabitants are marching together. In the middle of June comes the Boleros de Oro, then in July the Caribbean Festival and Feast of fire entertains people with exhibitions, music, songs and dances. Las week of July is the week of the hottest Cuban carnival that also takes place in Santiago de Cuba.

 

 

14. Cuba - Guantanamo

 

 

Guantanamo was founded in 1819 between rivers Jaibo, Bano and Guaso. Its name was Santa Catalina del Saltadero del Guaso till 1843. Guantanamo is a big, bustling city - you should visit it in your way from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa.

Guantanamo is mostly known as city of the American Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (located 21kms from the city). The base was built to protect the eastern entrance of the Panama Canal. It was expanded during the second world war. It served its original function long ago but still remained a useful weapon in hands of America in the territory of Cuba.

After victory of the revolution in 1959 Fidel Castro put on the USA to give back the base to Cuba, but the Americans denied it. In 1992 11.000 Haitian refugees were detained here and in 1994 the 32.000 Cubans who tried to flee to Florida was also sent here. Later 8.000 of them were released to the States and 2.000 of them returned to Cuba on their own free will. In 1995 the two countries signed an agreement that allowed the other 22.000 Cubans to enter the USA. Since the war in Afghanistan after the terror attacks of 11/09/2009 the USA detains hundreds of prisoners here without charging them with any crime.

7.000 American soldiers live in Guantanamo. Golf court, yacht club, sport establishments, hospitals, movies and supermarkets serve their convenience. The base is surrounded by pits and watchtowers. At 22 points 75.000 mines create the biggest minefield of the western hemisphere. It will not serve the American army long as President Barack Obama on his first day ordered to close the base down as soon as possible. Prisoners will be received by several countries - the talks about it are just going on.

Sights of Guantanamo: Municipal Museum, Parish Church of Ricci Saint Katherine, marker, railway station, Art Centre of the Province, Library of the Province...

Guantanamo notes: The look-out tower in Malones can not be visited by tourists since 2008. Please do not plan a trip to the look-out tower!

 

 

15. Cuba - Baracoa

 

 

Baracoa is a beautiful colonial city between two bays surrounded by tropical vegetation with many sights. 

Columbus named this area Porto Santo and wrote a whole chapter in his diary about the anvil shaped mountain El Yunque. This part of the country is full of lush forests, coco palm and citrus woods and it has the most tropical atmosphere in Cuba. Besides coconut the cacao is also a very important product: from cacao butter not only body lotion is prepared but also used at Peters Baracoa Chocolate Factory. 

Baracoa was the first Spanish settlement of Cuba. Diego Velazquez and 300 fellow-soldiers of him founded it in December 1512. But first they had to fight for the land with the aborigine fighters led by Hatuey. Baracoa was the capital of the colony till 1515, that time Velazquez moved to Santiago de Cuba. The city could be entered only from the sea so it was closed from the other parts of the country until in the 1960’s famous motorway, La Farola was built (it originates from Cajobabo). Every steep curve of it offers marvellous view.

Sights of Baracoa: Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady , Manuel Fuente Tobacco Factory, Veteran Centre, Fortress Matachin, Fortress Fuerta de La Punta, Fortress El Castillo de Seboruco...

 

 

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