Santiago de Cuba Travel Guide - Cuba Unique Atmosphere
Santiago de Cuba Travel Guide - Cuba Unique Atmosphere
Santiago de Cuba is the capital of the Santiago de Cuba province in south-eastern Cuba. It lies in the southeastern area of the island, some 870 km (540 mi) southeast of the Cuban capital of Havana. The municipality extends over 1,023.8 square kilometers and contains the communities of Antonio Maceo, Bravo, Castillo Duany, Daiquirí, El Caney, El Cobre, El Cristo, Guilera, Leyte Vidal, Moncada and Siboney.
Santiago is the second city of Cuba, and the birthplace of the current government. Fidel Castro and others launched their revolutionary movement from here in 1953 with the attack to the garrison named Cuartel Moncada. Thanks to Cuba's relatively low traffic, and the compactness of the the city centre, Santiago is easily walkable. Nevertheless, it can be searingly hot (which is why you won't see many people out on the streets in the middle of the day), and the city is very hilly so stay hydrated, and don't overestimate your own energy levels. Taxis can be easily found around most of the major plazas in the city.
Trailblazing characters and a resounding sense of historical destiny define it. Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar made Santiago his second capital, Fidel Castro used it to launch his embryonic revolution, Don Facundo Bacardí based his first-ever rum factory here, and nearly every Cuban music genre from salsa to son first emanated from these dusty, rhythmic and sensuous streets.
Caught dramatically between the indomitable Sierra Maestra and the azure Caribbean, the colonial casco histórico (historical center) retains a time-worn air reminiscent of Salvador in Brazil or forgotten New Orleans. So don't let the hustlers, the speeding Chevys or the clawing heat defeat you. There's untold magic here too.
The local citadel of San Pedro de la Roca is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the most complete, best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture, based on Italian and Renaissance design principles. The Baconao Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve List in 1987. The city features several historic architectural styles, from Baroque to neoclassical. Many colonial buildings have huge windows and balconies, where people can enjoy views of the steep streets and wooded hills. Preserved historical treasures include the first Spanish dwelling in the Americas, the first cathedral in Cuba, Cobre mine, the first copper mine opened in the Americas; and the first Cuban museum.
Santiago de Cuba is well known for its traditional dances, most notably son, from which salsa has been derived. The city celebrates Carnival in July, although it typically precedes Lent. With the city preoccupied with the holiday, Castro chose July 26 to enter undetected into the city to assault the Moncada Barracks. During Carnival, traditional conga music is played in the streets on a traditional pentatonic trumpet, called the trompeta china.
A lot to see in Santiago de Cuba such as :
Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
Céspedes Park
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
Baconao
Basílica Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre
San Juan Hill
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Santiago de Cuba
Turquino National Park
Casa de Diego Velazquez
Museo Emilio Bacardí Moreau
Plaza de Marte
Cayo Granma
Playa Siboney
Plaza de Dolores
Helechos Garden
Museo de La Lucha Clandestina
Faro del Morro
Casa Del Caribe
Museo de Ambiente Histórico
Bahía de Santiago de Cuba
Museo del Carnaval
Mausoleum to José Martí
Velázquez balcony
Fuerte de EL Viso
Monumento al Cimarron
Memorial de Vilma Espín Guillois
Ciencias Naturales Tomas Romay
Plaza de la Revolución
Padre Pico Steps
Monumental Complex Antonio Maceo
Bacardi Rum Factory
Casa Museo Granjita de Siboney
Playa La Estrella
Mausoleo de José Martí
Histórico Abel Santamaría Park
( Santiago de Cuba - Cuba ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Santiago de Cuba. Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Santiago de Cuba - Cuba
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