Santiago de Cuba , city
(1994 est. pop. 385,800), capital of Santiago de Cuba prov.,
SE Cuba. Cuba's second largest city, Santiago is situated
on a cliff overlooking a bay. Minerals, agricultural produce,
and woods are exported. The city is also the terminus of a
major highway and railway. Founded in 1514 by Diego de Velázquez
and moved to its present site in 1588, Santiago served for
some time as Cuba's capital. In its early days, it was captured
by French and English buccaneers and was a center of the smuggling
trade with the British West Indies. Frenchmen fleeing the
slave revolt in Haiti in the early 19th cent. settled in Santiago
and heavily influenced the city's development.
During the Spanish-American War of 1898, U.S. ships established
a blockade in Santiago's harbor; when the Spanish admiral
Pascual Cervera y Topete, bottled up in the harbor, made
a desperate attempt to escape, his fleet was destroyed.
Heavy fighting preceded the city's surrender. Fidel Castro
began his revolutionary struggle against Fulgencio Batista
y Zaldívar by attacking the Moncada army garrison
in Santiago on July 26, 1953. The city retains many colonial
landmarks, notably its cathedral (the largest in Cuba) and
the crumbling forts that stand on high cliffs above the
harbor. It also has a university.
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La Gran Piedra Santiago de Cuba At just over 1234 meters (4000 Feet) above sea level La Gran Piedra in Santiago de Cuba is accessed by 459 step climb to the “The Big Rock” or, in Spanish, La Gran Piedra. The viewing platform at its peak guarantees a cooler climate to help you freshen up after the onslaught of step after step. Even though the climb sounds fearful, it takes no more than 20 minutes but, do bring some comfortable shoes along. Legend has it that on a clear [...]
Casa de la Musica Santiago de Cuba The Casa de la Musica (House of Music) in Santiago de Cuba is an absolute must visit place which will undoubtedly become the highlight of your visit to Cuba. Every night you can listen to the intoxicating rhythms of Cuban music while dancing the night away. You'll meet locals who encourage visitors to get up and dance, some of which are all too happy to lend a hand with your salsa technique. Drinks are reasonably priced for such a popular [...]
Parque de Baconao Santiago de Cuba The Parque de Baconao just outside Santiago de Cuba is a must for families with children. Large stone life-size animals such as dinosaurs and modern creatures litter this beautiful park called the Valle de la Prehistoria Park or Prehistoric Valley. Close by you will also find a small car museum with some old relics from the 30s, 40s and 50s. There's also an aquarium with dolphins and other marine creatures. As a whole day out for the family, there's a [...]
Diego Velazquez Museum Santiago de Cuba Located in the property originally owned by the Diego Velazquez, Spanish conqueror and first ever Governor of Cuba. The house was built between 1516 and 1530 and has survived despite numerous fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters which have plagued Santiago de Cuba over the past 300 years. The house offers an architectural and ornamental look into design back in the 14th century, especially via its windows and numerous balconies, cedar roofs. The Diego Velazquez museum gives the visitor a [...]
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery Santiago de Cuba To the west of the Santiago de Cuba center you'll find the Cementerio Santa Ifigenia, Cuba's second largest Cemetery after Havana’s Necropolis Cristobal Colon. Founded in 1868 , its primary purpose then was as a resting place for victims of the War of Independence and then the later massive deaths relating to the yellow-fever outbreak in the Caribbean. Cemetery Santa Ifigenia simply cannot be missed if you wish to look into Cuba's interesting past. The Cemeteries +8000 tombs simply pack [...]
La Gran Piedra Santiago de Cuba At just over 1234 meters (4000 Feet) above sea level La Gran Piedra in Santiago de Cuba is accessed by 459 step climb to the “The Big Rock” or, in Spanish, La [...]
Parque de Baconao Santiago de Cuba The Parque de Baconao just outside Santiago de Cuba is a must for families with children. Large stone life-size animals such as dinosaurs and modern creatures litter this beautiful park [...]
Parque Cespedes Santiago de Cuba Cespedes Park is the epicenter of Santiago de Cuba and offers a perfect insight into Cuban life. The romanticism of Cubans is demonstrated here through; talking, hustling, flirting, guitar strumming [...]
Diego Velazquez Museum Santiago de Cuba Located in the property originally owned by the Diego Velazquez, Spanish conqueror and first ever Governor of Cuba. The house was built between 1516 and 1530 and has survived despite [...]
city
(1994 est. pop. 385,800), capital of Santiago de Cuba prov.,
SE Cuba. Cuba's second largest city, Santiago is situated
on a cliff overlooking a bay. Minerals, agricultural produce,
and woods are exported. The city is also the terminus of a
major highway and railway. Founded in 1514 by Diego de Velázquez
and moved to its present site in 1588, Santiago served for
some time as Cuba's capital. In its early days, it was captured
by French and English buccaneers and was a center of the smuggling
trade with the British West Indies. Frenchmen fleeing the
slave revolt in Haiti in the early 19th cent. settled in Santiago
and heavily influenced the city's development.
