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Best of Santiago de Cuba
Castillo del Morro (San Juan Pedro de La Roca Castle)
This was an old garrison which served for the defense of the city against the pirates who attacked the Cuban Coast between XVI and XVIII centuries. It was constructed in 1643 but the design was made by Giovan Battista Antonelli in 1637. This military engineer who also designed the “Morro” in La Havana did this work on behalf of Pedro de la Roca y Borja, who was governor of the city and whom the castle owes its name. The castle was strategically located on a promontory at the harbor of Santiago at 60 meters above the sea and offers a great view, both the port and Sierra Maestra Mountains. It was built with four main levels and three bulwarks to host the artillery. Besides, the castle also served as prison and in XIX century was used as tomb for Cuban patriots. During the first half of the XX century the monument was partially destroyed but it was restored in the 1960s by Francisco Prat Puig. Later UNESCO declared the castle as World Heritage Site in 1997. now the castle is one of the best preserved Spanish military buildings in America.
You can visit the “Morro Castle” from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 16:00 and admission costs $4. There are organized tours, but you can also take a taxi.
Saint Ifigenia Cemetery
This cemetery is one of the largest and oldest in Cuba and is perhaps the famous in the Island. This place was opened around 1868, in it there are a really great number of tombs, sarcophagi and some wonderful mausoleums, the most of them made in marble.
Many sarcophagi are older than the cemetery and was moved to here from others cemeteries and others cities. This cemetery is the most famous in Cuba because the remnants of many Cuban historical personages are here amongst them Emilio Bacardi, and Pedro Figueredo (who made the national anthem). But one of the more important tombs is the tomb of José Marti, that is a giant mausoleum made of stone and marble whose design is circular and was constructed in 1951, in where it always possible to find a bouquet of flowers and a Cuban flag.
The other famous place in this cemetery is thetomd and monument in honor to the 26th of July martyrs who are buried in the vault of Carlos Manuel Céspedes.
This cemetery is currently compared with the Columbine Cemetery. It is divided in three patios the first has a neoclassical style, whereas that the second owns a eclectic style; and the last patio which is back, has a peculiar decoration.
The last famous personage buried here is the great musician Compay Segundo, who besides was born in Santiago. The cemetery is located in “Calzada Crombet” and admission costs $1. It is opened every day from 7:00 to 18:00.
Cuartel Moncada (moncada Barracks)
The building was constructed by Spanish in 1859 but it was burned and reconstructed in 1930s.This is one of the most important places of recently Cuban history since here it was realized the first episode of the revolution war. In this place Fidel Castro and his rebels (120 men) attacked these barracks for stealing arms and jump starting the revolution in 1953. But the assault failed since 61 Castro’s men died and many others were captured, several of them were tortured and killed by Batista’s army. Nevertheless the tortures and murders were published by a Cuban journalist. This fact causes the hate of the population and marked the beginning of the Batista’s fall.
The museum’s collection includes several objects which belonged to the revels like rifles , guns, uniforms, photographs and others.
You can visit this historical place from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 9:00 to 13:00 the building is located at Trinidad street and admission costs $2.
The Cathedral of Santiago (Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción)
This church was destroyed several times by pirate attacks so the actual church dates from the second decade of the XX century. This is located at south side of Parque Céspedes (main square of the city) in the ancient location where it was constructed the first cathedral of Cuba in 1520 and where it believes that Diego Velasquez (city founder) is buried .
Besides, into the cathedral works the ecclesiastic museum which owns an important collection of sacred pieces, religious art (mainly paintings) and some ancient musical scores.
Céspedes Park
This place is the main square of the city, is located on the ancient area in where was located the former “Plaza de Armas” in XVI century. In the colonial period, this area was occupied by the main institutions of the city like the cathedral and the Governor House. Besides this place was where the city was founded at the beginning of XVI century. Now this a meeting point for Santiago’s citizens who come here to spend the evenings. It a great place to meet people and see the Cuban style of life. Nevertheless sometimes the place could be a little unpleasant by the garbage and the thefts in the zone. Be careful.
Velasquez’s House
This is the oldest house in Cuba, this was the governor house and its first owner was Diego Velasquez the founder of the city. The house has a great Moorish influence which is showed in an impressive carved cedar ceiling. The house which now is almost 500 years old still conserves some original walls and doors as wellas part of the first roof (the most part was destroyed by fire) , in addition to the cistern that served by store the rain water. Besides, it can see still the ancient balconies which are made of wooden panels of mahogany. Last years the house has been restored by the Cuban government and hosts the colonial history Museum which owns a splendid collection of European and Cuban pieces of furniture, ceramic and porcelain.
The house is located at 612 Felix Peña , at corner of Aguilera and Céspedes Park and opens every day from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. Admission costs $2 or $3 if you want a guide.
Santuario el Cobre
This church is the most important religious place in Cuba, it is dedicated to the Charity Virgin. The main feature of this religious sculpture is that has black skin. This virgin was proclaimed the Patron of Cuba since 1916. She is dressed in yellow and wears a crown with diamonds, emeralds and rubies. La Virgen del Cobre(Virgin of Cooper) as also is known has a impressive number of devotees amongst them famous personages like the writer Hemingway who gift his Nobel prize medal to the Virgin.
The virgin was blessed by the pope in 1998 and every year receives the visit of millions of devotees and tourists. It is very interesting to see so great religious phenomenon within a communist regime.
The church opens every day from 8:00 to 18:00.
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